Alternative for Germany is listed as a 'right-wing extremist' party by
domestic intelligence agency
[May 02, 2025]
BERLIN (AP) — The German domestic intelligence service said Friday it
has classified the Alternative for Germany party, which placed second in
national elections in February, as a “right-wing extremist effort” —
making it subject to greater and broader surveillance of its activities.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution cited the
“extremist character” of the party, known as AfD, and said it
“disregards human dignity” — in particular by taking aim at those who
moved to Germany from mostly Muslim countries.
The party criticized the move, with deputy chairman Stephan Brandner
saying that it “is complete nonsense, has absolutely nothing to do with
law and order, and is purely political in the fight of the cartel
parties against the AfD.”
The AfD has already been under enhanced surveillance by authorities in
some regions, but the announcement by the domestic spy agency means the
agency's officials can use informants and other tools such as audio and
video recordings to monitor the party’s activities nationwide.
The office, which has warned of growing extremism in Germany, cited
court decisions in two German regions in recent years that detailed
party efforts to undermine a free and democratic order.
The party “aims to exclude certain population groups from equal
participation in society, to subject them to unconstitutional unequal
treatment and thus to assign them a legally devalued status," the
agency, known as BfV, said.
The party had already come under scrutiny from the BfV for its links to
extremists and its ties to Russia. Of the 38,800 far-right extremists
counted by the agency last year, more than 10,000 are members of the
party.
[to top of second column]
|
A man stands in front of the logo at the AfD party headquarters in
Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, after the German national
election. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)
“The ethnic and descent-based understanding of the people prevailing
within the party is incompatible with the free democratic basic order,”
the intelligence service said, adding that the party's political
positions have underpinned “continuous agitation” against minorities and
stirred fear and hostility toward them.
“This is evident in the numerous xenophobic, anti-minority,
anti-Islamic, and anti-Muslim statements continually made by leading
party officials,” it said.
Nancy Faeser, the interior minister, said in a statement that the
classification was “clear and unambiguous” and had resulted from a
1,100-page “comprehensive and neutral audit” that had no political
influence.
Under the move, any surveillance of AfD activities must abide by a
“principle of proportionality” under German law.
The measure does not amount to a ban of the party, which can only take
place through a request by either of parliament's two chambers or the
federal government through the Federal Constitutional Court.
Asked whether the party would appeal the decision, Brandner said the
executive board is holding a scheduled meeting next Monday and is
expected to discuss it then.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
