Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a 'confirmed right-wing extremist' party. This designation has sparked significant debate about potentially banning the party. The classification led to the exclusion of two AfD parliamentarians from an official trip with Hesse's Minister Manfred Pentz.
The AfD has responded by suing the BfV, accusing it of power misuse. Party co-chairs Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel have labeled the classification as unlawful, arguing that it suppresses criticism of immigration policies. Meanwhile, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has expressed opposition to electing AfD members to chair committee positions.
In Brandenburg, the state's intelligence agency also categorized the regional AfD as securely right-wing extremist, a step up from its previous status as a suspect case. This development led to the dismissal of Brandenburg's Verfassungsschutz chief, Jörg Müller, for failing to promptly inform Interior Minister Katrin Lange. The AfD is now challenging these classifications in court.
Meanwhile, AfD treasurer Carsten Hütter has urged party members to moderate their conduct, acknowledging internal issues. He noted that only a small fraction of the party's members have crossed red lines.
Further complicating matters, the AfD has entered into cooperation agreements with Russia's ruling party, "United Russia," and the Bulgarian party Wasraschdane, raising concerns about external influences. These developments underscore the tensions surrounding the AfD's role in German politics and the broader questions of extremism and democracy.
