Photo: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/M. Fludra
On Friday, the Federal Office for the Protection of the German Constitution (BfV) declared the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) an officially extremist organisation that threatens the country’s democracy. This allows intelligence agencies to use surveillance tools more actively – including undercover agents and interception of communications by court order.
The BfV’s 1,000-page report states that the party systematically violates fundamental constitutional principles, including human dignity and equality. The AfD is accused of discriminating against citizens with a migrant background, especially those from Muslim-majority countries, and of seeking to exclude them from public life.
Although the party is not formally banned, the move could affect its personnel policy and participation in public administration. At the same time, the decision has already sparked controversy in the political environment, with critics fearing that the stigma will only increase AfD’s popularity. After all, following the February elections, the party entered parliament with a record result and topped the polls in a number of regions.
This is the first time in the modern history of Germany that a parliamentary party of this level has been officially designated as an extremist party.
