Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), formally designated the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a “right-wing extremist organisation” after AfD had equalled the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in terms of public support, according to Euronews.
The move, announced on Friday, intensifies scrutiny of the party’s anti-migration policies and alleged ties to extremist networks. This also gives the green light to ban the party altogether.
The BfV concluded that the AfD’s ideology “systematically devalues” non-ethnic Germans and seeks to exclude individuals with Muslim backgrounds from equal societal participation. The 1,100-page report highlighted discriminatory statements by party officials, alleged connections to extremist groups, and a pattern of rhetoric contradicting Germany’s constitutional commitment to human dignity.
The ethnic and descent-based understanding of the people prevailing within the party is incompatible with the free democratic basic order.
The classification applies to the AfD’s national structure, adding to existing designations for its youth wing and regional branches in Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasised the decision was based on “comprehensive, neutral analysis” free from political interference.
The ruling comes months after the AfD secured 20.8% in February’s federal elections, cementing its position as Germany’s second-largest party. Last week, the AfD also topped the national polls for the first time on record, overtaking the ruling forces.
While the designation stops short of a ban – which requires a Constitutional Court ruling – it empowers authorities to monitor AfD activities, including communications and funding. However, the BfV will now be given enhanced information-gathering authority, including surveillance, wiretapping and access to AfD members’ correspondence. Civil servants would also be barred from joining the party.
