The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has officially classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a right-wing extremist party, a move that had previously only applied to three regional branches in the east: Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. Since March 2021, AfD has been listed nationwide as a suspected right-wing extremist group. This classification grants the intelligence service the authority to use secret sources, surveillance, and evaluations of public and non-public sources to investigate the party.
Key Reason for the Classification:
The main justification for this classification lies in AfD’s extremist character which allegedly disregards human dignity, as stated by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The office examined AfD’s statements during the federal election campaign and prior to three state elections in East Germany. The party’s connections to extremist right-wing groups and figures played a significant role in the investigation.
The office’s final assessment highlights that AfD’s stance on ethnic origin is incompatible with the fundamental principles of the democratic order. Specifically, AfD does not consider German citizens of immigrant origin, especially from Muslim-majority countries, as equal members of the “ethnically defined German people,” as the party defines it.
AfD’s Response:
AfD rejects this classification, with Vice-Chairman Stephan Brandner calling the decision politically motivated, referring to it as an “absurdity” designed to undermine the party. He claims it is part of a political campaign against AfD by other established political parties.
The SPD Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, rejected these accusations, asserting that the report was independent of political influence. Faeser explained that AfD’s stance is reflected in racist statements, particularly against immigrants and Muslims.
Other Political Reactions:
Some political figures from other parties, such as Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann from FDP, hailed the decision, labeling AfD as a right-wing extremist movement that seeks to destroy the democratic order.
AfD’s Legal Defense:
AfD has announced legal action against the classification, claiming it as a “heavy blow to German democracy.” The party’s co-chairs, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, emphasized that they would continue their legal defense against these accusations that threaten democracy.
What Does This Mean Politically?
AfD’s influence in Germany is rising. In the February 23 elections, AfD gained 20.8% of the vote, becoming the second-largest parliamentary group, behind the CDU/CSU Union. In recent polls, AfD’s support has continued to grow, even surpassing the CDU in some instances.
The Question of Banning AfD:
Some politicians have called for AfD to be banned, citing the recent report from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. In the past, there was an attempt to push for a parliamentary motion to ban the party, but it did not reach a final vote.
However, there are opponents to such a move. Legal experts and political analysts argue that a successful ban would be legally difficult and could strengthen AfD’s position by turning them into political martyrs.
**Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also cautioned against hasty decisions, highlighting that the Federal Constitutional Court has previously rejected attempts to ban AfD. He stressed the importance of not rushing into such decisions.
Conclusion:
The Federal Office’s assessment of AfD as a right-wing extremist party does not necessarily mean an immediate ban, but it raises important questions about how Germany handles political extremism and the role of such parties in its democratic system. The legal and political battles surrounding AfD’s classification will continue to evolve, shaping the future of German politics.
