The insult brought Söder “close to the National Socialist regime,” the judge said on Monday when announcing the verdict. Grosz received a fine of 90 daily rates of 165 euros, i.e. 14,850 euros. He announced that he would appeal.
“If I have to, I’ll go to Karlsruhe (seat of the German Constitutional Court, note),” said Grosz. He added that he was acquitted of the charge of having a knife at the event. That was just a bottle opener.
Satire and freedom of expression
Grosz described Bavaria’s Prime Minister as “Södolf”, “Corona autocrat” and “traitor” in February 2023 in Osterhofen, Lower Bavaria. He called the German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) a “horror clown”. The district court therefore initially issued a penalty order against Grosz in September for alleged insult and imposed a fine of 90 daily rates of 400 euros, i.e. 36,000 euros.
Grosz defended his choice of words in court as “satire.” His lawyers also saw the statements as covered by freedom of expression in the context of political Ash Wednesday. A lawyer describes the Bavarian Prime Minister’s ad as an “attack by Markus Söder on political Ash Wednesday.” Freedom of expression and speeches on Ash Wednesday deserve special protection.
“Take the entire judicial route”
Only one day of proceedings was scheduled for the proceedings against the former FPÖ and BZÖ politician. According to his own statements, Grosz did not expect to be acquitted in Deggendorf, Bavaria. “Well-known lawyers all over Germany have made it clear to me that no judge at district court level dares to rule against Söder’s interests,” Grosz had explained in advance. “Therefore, we will take the entire judicial route.” He still expects an acquittal, said Grosz.
Grosz has held several positions at the FPÖ and the BZÖ. In 2022 he ran for election as Federal President and received 5.6 percent of the vote.
