The Brandenburg AfD Now Categorized as Solidly Far-Right
Far-right political party, AfD Brandenburg, is categorically identified as firmly right-wing. - Far-right party AFD in Brandenburg now deemed safe by classifiers
Here's the lowdown:
The Brandenburg branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been slapped with the label "solidly far-right" by the Brandenburg constitutional protection agency. The state Interior Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) made this announcement in Potsdam. This makes the Brandenburg AfD the fourth state association to bear this label, with the federal party having recently been deemed "solidly far-right" as well.
This classification is against the backdrop of continuous scrutiny over the AfD's ideology and actions. Let's dive into the reasons behind this classification and its implications.
Justifying the Classification
- Ideological Slant: The AfD has faced criticism for its hardline anti-immigration stance, as well as its focus on ancestry and ethnicity, which contradicts Germany's democratic values[5]. The party's rhetoric often singled out Muslim immigrants, emphasizing exclusionary policies[4].
- Investigation and Scrutiny: The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) started monitoring the AfD in 2019, initially under 'preliminary observation,' and later classified it as a 'suspected extremist group' in 2021[5]. In May 2025, the BfV extended this classification to encompass the entire party following an extensive probe[4].
- Electoral Influence: The AfD demonstrated significant electoral victories in eastern states, such as Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. This has sparked concerns over its ideology's reach and impact[4].
Consequences of the Classification
- Surveillance Enhancement: The label allows for enhanced oversight of the party by German authorities, potentially limiting their activities and funding[4].
- Legal Disputes: The AfD has challenged the BfV in court, asserting that the classification infringes on free speech and democracy[4].
- Public Opinion: Nearly half of Germans back a ban on the AfD, and most view it as a right-wing extremist party[5]. This could lead to additional political isolation and potential legal action against the party.
- Employment Barriers: Some federal states are assessing measures to prohibit AfD members from certain jobs within the public sector, including civil servants, cops, educators, and soldiers[4].
The Brandenburg AfD's employment opportunities within the public sector may be affected due to their categorization as a far-right party. This classification could potentially lead to barriers for AfD members seeking roles as civil servants, police, educators, and soldiers.
The general news is abuzz with debates about the AfD's political future, as a growing number of Germans advocate for a ban on the party. The party's solidly far-right label has sparked public calls for political isolation and potential legal action.
In line with this, the Brandenburg AfD's ideology and policies, including their hardline anti-immigration stance and exclusionary rhetoric, have raised concerns and led to scrutiny by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
The BfV classified the entire AfD party as a suspected extremist group following an extensive probe in May 2025, after initially monitoring the party under preliminary observation since 2019. This categorization is significant, as it allows for enhanced oversight of the party, which could potentially limit their activities and funding.
