German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called for a review of the possibility of banning the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), citing publicized intelligence findings.
Key Statements from Klingbeil
- “We must fight the enemies of democracy,” he told Funke Media Group.
- He emphasized that any legal steps should be based on the findings of intelligence agencies.
- Klingbeil stressed that the government cannot remain idle if a party openly seeks to undermine Germany’s democracy.
Context
- Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified AfD as a far-right extremist group in May, although this classification is currently under appeal in the Court of Appeals.
- State-level intelligence agencies have issued similar assessments for local branches of AfD, which is the country’s largest opposition party.
Political Dynamics
- Klingbeil’s SPD party wants to form a working group to gather evidence of unconstitutional activities by AfD.
- The conservative bloc led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz remains skeptical, warning that legal proceedings might inadvertently increase support for AfD.
- A ban request can be submitted by either chamber of Parliament or the federal government, but only the Federal Constitutional Court can enforce such a measure.
