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Germany’s domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), officially designated the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist group on Friday, granting authorities enhanced surveillance powers. This decision comes just months after the AfD secured second place in the national elections, further solidifying its place in German politics.
The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance, has been under investigation by the BfV for several years. Several local chapters of the party had already been classified as right-wing extremist. The BfV’s decision to classify the entire party stems from numerous instances of the AfD attempting to “undermine the free, democratic” order of Germany, as well as its exclusionary rhetoric. The agency stated that the AfD does not recognise German citizens with migrant backgrounds from predominantly Muslim countries as “equal members of the German people.”
The intelligence service pointed to a large number of xenophobic, Islamophobic, and anti-minority statements made by key AfD figures as further evidence of the party’s extremist tendencies. This new classification empowers intelligence agencies with additional tools to monitor the party, including the ability to intercept communications and deploy undercover agents.
The AfD has experienced a surge in support in recent years, capitalising on growing public concerns over migration amid Germany’s ongoing economic struggles. The party performed strongly in the February elections, securing over 20 percent of the vote and coming second to the centre-right CDU, which is set to lead a new coalition government under Friedrich Merz next week.
