In a move stirring major controversy, German authorities stopped several right-wing activists from flying to Milan to attend the Remigration Summit, a gathering of conservative voices from across Europe. The individuals were detained at Munich Airport, questioned for hours, and slapped with a travel ban barring them from leaving the country until just before midnight on May 17.
Among those expected at the summit were Austrian commentator Martin Sellner, Dutch pundit Eva Vlaardingerbroek, and Belgian activist Dries Van Langenhove—who, ironically, faces charges over years-old memes. But instead of the event itself grabbing headlines, it’s the German police’s preemptive crackdown that’s now taking center stage.
Sellner, who’s been chronicling the situation online, said several young German activists were detained on planes or at the gate. After hours of interrogation, authorities handed them written orders banning travel to Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. They now must report to the local police twice daily or face legal penalties.
The reasoning? According to the official notice, their presence at the Milan summit could damage Germany’s reputation by appearing to support “inhuman ideology” and enabling international right-wing networking. Critics say this rationale borders on Orwellian logic—if merely attending a conference is equated with state endorsement, then what stops this logic from applying to any future event?
Sellner didn’t hold back, likening the government’s tactics to East Germany’s old surveillance state. “They’re flipping the democracy switch off,” he said, “and booting up the GDR mode.” He warned that laws once lying dormant are now being used to clamp down on dissent—especially for those daring to challenge the political status quo or post controversial views online.
Adding fuel to the fire, Italian police also reportedly questioned attendees already in Milan, though they didn’t issue similar restrictions. Meanwhile, organizers say arranging the event has been like walking a tightrope—hotels keep pulling out under pressure, vendors are skittish, and far-left groups are threatening disruptions.
While activists vow to take legal action, the message is loud and clear: Germany’s government is drawing a hard line, and the debate over political freedom in Europe just got a lot more intense.
