BERLIN — As 2025 comes to an end, Germany is facing a growing legal and political storm over the practice increasingly described as “debanking”—the targeted closure of bank accounts belonging to political organizations and individuals whose views diverge from prevailing government or foreign‑policy positions. What began as isolated administrative disputes has evolved into a broader confrontation over financial access, civil liberties, and the boundaries of political dissent.
The issue reached a new peak this month when the German Communist Party (DKP) revealed that its main accounts, including those of its executive committee, will be terminated on December 31, 2025.
The “Cuba Inquiry”: A New Financial Red Line?
The closures stem from a formal inquiry by GLS Bank, a self‑described socially responsible institution, into DKP donations sent to Cuba. Germany has no sanctions against the island, but the DKP argues the bank’s actions amount to an extraterritorial enforcement of U.S. policy.
- DKP’s position: Party chairman Patrik Köbele condemned the move as an attack on international solidarity and vowed to continue cooperation with Havana despite what he calls “illegal U.S. sanctions.”
- Bank’s explanation: GLS Bank cited regulatory obligations, including anti‑money‑laundering and counter‑terrorism financing rules.
- Critics’ response: Observers note that Cuba remains a diplomatic partner for much of Germany’s political left, and Cuban products are sold openly in German stores—raising questions about why political solidarity is being treated as a financial risk.
The Extraterritorial Reach of U.S. Policy
The trend appears to have accelerated following a tightening of U.S. sanctions policy in mid‑2025. The Trump administration expanded restrictions on transactions linked to sanctioned states and groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations, prompting German banks to adopt a posture of pre‑emptive compliance.
Examples include:
- Rote Hilfe (Red Aid): The legal‑aid group was questioned by GLS Bank over alleged links to “Antifa East,” which the U.S. State Department added to its terrorist list on November 13, 2025.
- U.S. intelligence incentives: A recent $10 million “Rewards for Justice” bounty for information on European antifascist networks has heightened banks’ fears of jeopardizing access to U.S. financial infrastructure, including SWIFT.
A Broader Pattern of Financial Repression
The impact is not confined to one political faction. A growing list of groups—left‑wing, pro‑Palestinian, and anti‑war—report account closures or sanctions‑related restrictions.
| Organization / Individual | Affiliation | Action Taken | Alleged Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| DKP | Communist Party | Account closure | Cuba solidarity / foreign‑policy concerns |
| Rote Hilfe | Legal aid | Account closure | Support for “Antifa East” (U.S. terror list) |
| Jewish Voice | Palestine solidarity | Multiple closures | Pro‑BDS positions / criticism of Israel |
| Hüseyin Doğru | Red Media founder | EU sanctions listing | “Russian destabilization” / information warfare |
The Case of Hüseyin Doğru: From Debanking to Economic Erasure
Perhaps the most severe example is Hüseyin Doğru, founder of the English‑language outlet Red Media. In mid‑2025, Germany successfully pushed for his inclusion on the EU’s Russia‑related sanctions list.
The consequences are sweeping:
- Doğru is barred from employment and from receiving state benefits.
- Anyone providing him with material support—including family members—risks criminal prosecution.
- The sanctions effectively impose a form of economic non‑existence, far beyond the closure of bank accounts.
A Test for Democratic Pluralism
As financial institutions increasingly operate as extensions of national and international security policy, critics warn that the material foundations of political dissent are being eroded. By relying on terrorism designations—often originating outside Germany—the banking system can restrict political activity without judicial oversight.
The central question heading into 2026 is not whether one agrees with the DKP, Rote Hilfe, or Red Media. It is whether a democratic society can function when access to basic financial services becomes contingent on political conformity.
