Solidarity is irreversible! 09/12/2025

As a reason, the bank cites its terms and conditions and also a clause allowing the closure of accounts without explanation. The KPD strongly objects to this clearly politically motivated move.

"Even institutions that present themselves as 'alternative' like GLS Bank are retreating into the trenches of reactionary, militaristic social transformation. This is scandalous, but it is part of the ongoing preparations for war," said Patrick Köbele, chairman of the KPD. "This reinforces our resolve to step up the fight against war and defend democratic rights, as well as our international solidarity with socialist Cuba, which is being targeted against us in light of sanctions that violate international law."

Context:
The so-called debanking, i.e. closing bank accounts for political reasons, is not a new phenomenon and is not an isolated case. For example, a few years ago the Postbank board decided to close the accounts of some parties and organizations as an "important contribution to political hygiene". According to the official justification, these measures were directed against right-wing radical structures, but later they were often applied against left-wing groups as well. A number of organizations, media, journalists and activists lost their bank accounts, usually without explanation and largely without public attention. The Executive Committee of the DKP (Communist Party of Germany) is a long-standing client of GLS Bank and has expanded its business relationships in recent years. GLS Bank has not raised any objections and therefore has no economic justification for critical examination or even termination of cooperation with DKP.

The first conflict in the relationship between the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) and GLS Bank arose in September 2025, when a GLS employee urgently requested information about the use of our accounts, specifying in her e-mail: "I especially need information about the fundraising campaign for Cuba." The KPD Executive Committee promptly provided all the requested information, but even after further questioning received no explanation as to why this information was needed.This request by GLS Bank regarding DKP's activities in support of socialist Cuba was followed by the written closure of DKP's accounts with effect from December 31, 2025. GLS Bank representatives subsequently stopped communicating with DKP.

The bank has since confirmed that the closure applies to all accounts belonging to clients of the DKP executive committee. As a result, the newly established cooperation with several DKP branches will also be terminated at the end of 2025. At the same time, GLS Bank announced that it is no longer possible to open new accounts in DKP branches.

website: DKP - interbrigade MGK KPRF / oreshnik24.net