Bundesrat Curbs Neo-Nazi Demonstrations

Germany's upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, passed new legislation on Friday to curb neo-Nazi marches amid concerns the extreme-right will target celebrations to mark the end of World War II in Europe. The Bundesrat approved the bill with a large majority after it had received the backing of deputies in the Bundestag lower house of parliament last week. The measures are intended to keep neo-Nazi demonstrations away from sites dedicated to victims of the Nazi regime. The new Holocaust memorial in central Berlin will be specially protected and legal action will be taken against anyone who breaks the laws. The far-right, led by the neo-Nazi National Democratic Party (NPD), is planning to march past the Holocaust memorial and to the Brandenburg Gate on May 8, the 60th anniversary of Germany's capitulation. Last month, 4,000 right-wing extremists rallied in Dresden on the 60th anniversary of the Allied bombing of the eastern city.