The political situation in Germany

German intelligence agency confirms: AFD extremist

Germany's intelligence agency BFV classifies the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist group that threatens democracy. This is reported by German media.

The classification makes it easier for the authorities to monitor the party, for example through wiretapping.

Some branches of the party, including the youth association, have previously been classified as extremist.

The AfD came second in the election earlier this year, but in practice has very little direct influence at the national level because no other party wants to cooperate with it. However, the party has real power locally in several places.

AFD: Extremist classification a hard blow to democracy

The right-wing populist AfD is sharply criticizing the German intelligence agency's decision to classify the party as an extremist organization, writes AFP.

In a statement, party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla called the decision “a severe blow to democracy” and promised to take legal action.

“The AfD as an opposition party is now being openly slandered and criminalized,” they wrote.

The decision means, among other things, that the party, which came in second in the election earlier this year, can be monitored more closely by the authorities.

Political scientist: Increasing signs that the AfD is not normal

The fact that the German populist party AfD is now classified as a right-wing extremist organization will likely mean that other parties will continue to hesitate to approach them. Wolfgang Schroeder, at the University of Kassel, told Reuters.

“The signs that the AfD is not a normal party are increasing and the result is that they will continue to be marginalized,” he said.

The classification may revive the debate about banning the party. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose Social Democratic party will also be part of the next government, wants to wait on that matter.

– I am against shooting from the hip, we have to evaluate this carefully, he said on Friday.