Germany officially declared the extreme right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), a group of confirmed extremists, at the end last week.
The country’s intelligence agency announced this unprecedented move.
A party that has federal representation in the German parliament was never before so closely scrutinized.
The AfD’s near-record polling and its holding of over 150 Bundestag members has triggered a wave legal, political and international responses.
Now, the country faces a test that will show how far its democratic institutions are willing to go in order to defend themselves.
What is AfD considered an extremist group?
The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, or BfV (Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution), spent three years researching the AfD. Their findings have been published in an 1100 page confidential report.
The AfD is a serious threat to democracy, according to the agency.
The BfV claims that the BfV promotes an “ethnic conception of people” which violates the German Constitution’s principle of dignity of man.
Senior officials have made repeated statements that are anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant.
BfV has already categorized regional branches of the BfV in Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony as extremist.
This is the first occasion that the entire national party has been granted this status.
This classification allows intelligence agencies to track the activities of the parties using digital surveillance, wiretaps and undercover agents.
The AfD is a political party that has been growing since its founding in 2013.
The party currently has 152 seats and won 20,8% of votes in Germany’s federal elections in February 2025.
With 28.6%, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), came in first.
Some of the latest polls show that AfD has even closed the gap on popularity.
What are the reactions of politicians and state governments?
This classification has led to a national debate on what should happen next.
Some leading CDU and SPD figures have said that AfD workers in the government sector are no longer suitable to serve in public service.
Hesse and Bavaria officials confirmed they are reviewing whether civil servants who have been affiliated with the Party can continue in their current roles.
Herbert Reul, the Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, warned against dismissals immediately.
He stated that individual evaluations are needed, and membership in a party alone might not be sufficient to remove someone.
Others disagree.
Marco Wanderwitz, a former state secretary to the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, argued in favor of preventing anyone who belongs to an extremist group from being in civil service and/or owning a gun.
There is a growing debate at the federal level about whether or not to ban the AfD completely.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil admitted that it was a possible but stressed that it would take many years to implement and shouldn’t replace engagement in politics.
Roderich Kiesewetter, CDU Bundestag Member said that the conditions are improving for an embargo.
Legal experts warn that such a prohibition would be subject to significant obstacles and require approval by the Constitutional Court.
What is this for the democracy?
This decision also has sparked an important discussion about the way democracies protect themselves.
Several critics, such as US Secretary of state Marco Rubio have described the case as political censorship.
Rubio stated on X, “Germany has just given its spy agency the new power to monitor opposition.” He called this “tyranny disguised.”
Elon Musk has also expressed his support for AfD. He described it as “a centrist party that is under attack.”
German officials are pushing back.
Foreign Ministry replied directly to Rubio and said that Rubio’s actions were legal, independent, based on years investigation, as well as a result of investigations.
The classification doesn’t ban AfD candidates from participating in elections, or from forming coalitions. But it does give law enforcement more tools to monitor and track the AfD.
Responding to @SecRubio
It’s democracy. The decision was made after a comprehensive & independent investigation in order to safeguard our Constitution and the rule of Law. Independent courts will make the final decision. Our history has taught us that we must stop rightwing extremism.
This decision highlights a greater challenge that many liberal democracies face.
What are the responses of open societies to political movements which reject constitutional principles?
Germany’s reaction suggests it has legal tolerance limitations, particularly when fundamental rights such as equal protection and dignity of the human person are threatened.
Who are the people behind AfD?
The AfD has found allies in other countries, despite the fragmentation of domestic support.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has quickly defended the AfD, saying, “What in the world is happening in Germany?” He also pledged his support for Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has criticized this decision in Russia as being politically motivated.
AfD previously held pro-Russian views, questioning sanctions against Ukraine and opposing its military assistance.
Parts of the US conservative movements also support this party.
AfD leaders, in addition to Rubio and Trump’s circle, have developed relationships with them.
Alice Weidel spoke earlier in the year at a AfD-sponsored event, while Elon Musk attended Trump’s inaugural.
The AfD has been able to position itself internationally as part of the right-wing opposition that is challenging global institutions, immigration policies, and post-war liberal orders.
What is really at stake?
It is more than a story of a controversial political party.
This is a bigger test to see how a democracy after the war reacts if one of its main parties refuses to play by the rules.
AfD did not just appeal to protesters. The AfD built up its support by attacking Germany’s constitution.
The protection of minorities and its historical consensus regarding the Nazi period.
The BfV decision is more than just a label.
This is a clear line. Germany says: You can’t fight against the constitution while expecting its protection.
There’s a danger, there is no doubt. The AfD may be able to reinforce their message that the AfD is right by overreaching democratic institutions.
Doing nothing, however, would be a greater risk. A party that is openly anti-democratic could flourish unchecked.
The post Germany declares AfD extremist: what does that mean for democracy This post may be updated as new information unfolds
