Germany’s domestic intelligence service, the BfV, has classified the far-right AfD party as an extremist group, sparking a diplomatic spat with the United States. The BfV had previously designated several local branches of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) as right-wing extremists. The agency cited the AfD’s attempts to undermine Germany’s free, democratic order as the reason for this classification.
The classification grants German authorities greater powers to monitor the AfD. This includes lowering barriers for steps such as intercepting telephone calls and deploying undercover agents. The BfV stated that the AfD aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society. Specifically, the AfD does not consider German citizens with a migrant background from countries with large Muslim populations to be equal members of the German people.
US Administration Condemns the Move
The conservative US administration quickly condemned Germany’s decision. US Vice President JD Vance accused Germany of rebuilding a “Berlin Wall.” He stated that the AfD was the most popular party in Germany. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the move “tyranny in disguise” and urged Germany to reverse course. President Donald Trump’s billionaire advisor Elon Musk has also previously defended the AfD.
The German foreign ministry took the unusual step of replying directly to Rubio on X. The ministry stated, “This is democracy.” It emphasized that the decision was the result of a thorough and independent investigation to protect Germany’s constitution. The ministry also highlighted Germany’s historical lessons, stressing the need to stop right-wing extremism.
AfD Vows Legal Challenge
The AfD slammed the move as a “heavy blow” to democracy, just months after they came second in a national election. AfD co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla charged that the party was being publicly discredited and criminalized. They vowed to mount a legal challenge, describing the decision as clearly politically motivated.
The designation has revived calls to ban the AfD in Germany. This comes ahead of conservative Friedrich Merz becoming chancellor next Tuesday, leading a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). The SPD’s Lars Klingbeil, set to become vice-chancellor and finance minister in the coalition, said the government would consider banning the AfD. He stated that the AfD wants a different country and aims to destroy Germany’s democracy,
Incoming interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said the spy agency’s move inevitably means there will be further observation of the AfD. The intelligence agency’s decision has significant implications for the AfD’s future in German politics.
