German far-right leader's parliamentary immunity lifted

Courts are wanting to investigate Alexander Gauland over tax irregularities

Investigators carry documents after leaving a house, where Alternative for Germany party (AfD) faction co-chairman in the German parliament Bundestag and former chairman Alexander Gauland (not in the picture) presumably lives, in Potsdam, Germany. EPA/CLEMENS BILANShow less

German politicians on Thursday lifted the parliamentary immunity of a leading far-right politician as part of an investigation into alleged tax irregularities.

Politicians were asked to lift the immunity of Alexander Gauland, the parliamentary co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, to allow for “search and seizure decisions ordered by a court”.

German newspaper Der Spiegel reported that prosecutors in Frankfurt are investigating whether Mr Gauland, 78, failed to submit his personal taxes correctly.

Politicians also lifted the immunity of a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats amid claims that the member and others engaged in paid lobbying for Azerbaijan.

The investigation against Mr Gauland is separate from one into his fellow Alternative for Germany leader in Parliament, Alice Weidel, who is under scrutiny over possible illegal party funding. She denies the allegation.

Mr Gauland was criticised this week for appearing to sleep during a speech by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to the German Parliament marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.

He once referred to the Nazi era as a speck of “bird poop” in German history, a comment he later expressed regret for.