Analysis of AfD's Standing in Brandenburg's Political Landscape
In a significant move, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Brandenburg has classified the state branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a "confirmed right-wing extremist organization." This classification follows an extensive investigation detailed in a 140-page report.
The report accuses the AfD of violating human dignity and the state constitution, engaging in "flagrant violations of fundamental rights of a free democratic order," including democracy and the rule of law principles. These breaches have reportedly increased notably in frequency recently.
The AfD is also accused of cultivating and intensifying contacts with right-wing extremist organizations since 2020. Key representatives of the party are said to question and seek to undermine the legitimacy of constitutional procedures and decisions, attacking the German political system itself.
In its migration debate, the AfD deliberately uses apocalyptic horror scenarios that stoke societal fear and increase social tensions. The party is described as highly xenophobic and partly racist, advocating an ethnocultural concept of the German people that excludes and discriminates, particularly against immigrants and Muslims.
Serious statements by AfD officials are characterized as direct declarations of war against democracy and the free democratic constitutional order. The party's supporters demonstrate a "fan culture" similar to that of football fans, creating a cultural community space with information bubbles favouring radicalization, even if not all members are extremists.
The classification enables expanded intelligence surveillance and possible legal actions, including a potential ban if radicalization continues. However, the AfD is currently challenging this classification in court, and a decision is still pending.
In Thuringia, the AfD is not challenging the classification made in 2021, but a committee of inquiry in Erfurt is dealing with the party's classification. In Saxony-Anhalt, clarity on whether the classification will also be legally confirmed could take a long time, as a lawsuit filed by the AfD against the classification as "securely right-wing extremist" in April 2024 has not yet been decided.
The controversy surrounding the AfD's classification has raised questions about how to deal with its members in the civil service, and several other federal states are calling for stricter checks and have suggested reviewing party funding. The controversial issue of a potential AfD ban procedure remains unresolved.
Despite the classification, the state party in Brandenburg has grown to around 3,450 members, making it the strongest opposition faction in the state parliament in Potsdam. In a poll on the "Sunday question" in June, the AfD was ahead with 32 percent of the votes.
Political scientist Thomeczek estimates that no significant turnaround is to be expected among the AfD's supporters due to the new classification. The AfD parliamentary group leader, Berndt, has stated that the entire assessment on their classification is permeated by hostility towards the AfD.
The liberal democratic basic order includes the fundamental values and structures on which the German state system is based, such as respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and pluralism. The Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution concludes in a 142-page report that the AfD is actively opposed to the liberal democratic basic order.
The AfD's classification as a "confirmed right-wing extremist organization" by the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution could lead to increased intelligence surveillance and potential legal actions, including a ban if radicalization continues. However, the AfD is challenging this classification in court, and a decision is still pending.
The liberal democratic basic order, which includes values such as respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and pluralism, is reportedly under threat from the AfD, as the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution concludes in a 142-page report that the AfD is actively opposed to this order.
