Right-wing political party, AfD, will contest their label as a recognized extremist group - Far-right party AfD intends to file a lawsuit challenging their categorization as a non-dangerous party
Title: AfD in Brandenburg Fights Back Against "Securely Right-Wing Extremist" Label in Court
Hey there! Let's chat about the latest news from Brandenburg. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the region is preparing to fight against its classification as "securely right-wing extremist." Sparked by a report from the "Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung," a spokesperson for the party announced plans for a legal battle against the Ministry of the Interior.
The AfD battalion isn't holding back and hasreset its sights on challenging the classification. According to reports, they're preparing a cease and desist letter and ready to take the fight to court. The state chairman of AfD Brandenburg, René Springer, isn't mincing words either, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the "securely right-wing extremist" label.
The Brandenburg Constitutional Protection agency slapped this label on the AfD back on April 14, as confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior. Yet, it took weeks for Interior Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) to catch wind of the classification, leading to the eventual dismissal of Constitutional Protection chief Jörg Müller, in a vote of lost trust.
Now, it's time to wade into the broader context. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) classified the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" in May 2025, building on previous classifications of its branches in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia as extremist. This assessment, based on an expert report, found that the AfD seeks to exclude certain groups from equitable participation in society and opposes the "free democratic order" in Germany.
But the AfD ain't backing down, and they're already taking legal action against the BfV. They argue that the classification infringes on freedom of speech and legitimate political discourse as enshrined in the German Basic Law. The case will be reviewed by a court in Cologne once the BfV confirms it's been notified.
Should the AfD succeed in overturning this label, it could have some pretty significant implications. Such a success could potentially lead to the removal of closer monitoring and the resumption of public funding—a boon for the beleaguered political force. Conversely, continued scrutiny could drive the party further to the fringe, ultimately leading to termination of funding or even a potential ban. Only time will tell what the future holds for the AfD in Brandenburg. Stay tuned!
1. The AfD in Brandenburg is aggressively challenging its classification as a "securely right-wing extremist" by the Brandenburg Constitutional Protection agency, planning to send a cease and desist letter and take the matter to court.
2. Minister Katrin Lange of the Interior, in Brandenburg, was late to learn about this classification, which eventually led to the dismissal of Constitutional Protection chief, Jörg Müller, due to a vote of lost trust.
3. The AfD faces broader scrutiny, with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) having classified the party as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" in May 2025, following previous classifications of its branches in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia as extremist.
4. The AfD argues that the BfV's classification is a violation of freedom of speech and legitimate political discourse as guaranteed by the German Basic Law, with the case to be reviewed by a court in Cologne once notified.
