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Following its top-ranking position, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) files a lawsuit against the Federal Constitutional Court

After a confidential update, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) initiates a legal action against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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3 min read
Political Figures Chrupalla and Weidel Hold Prominent Positions
Political Figures Chrupalla and Weidel Hold Prominent Positions

Here's the deal: The ruckus started when Alice Weidel, along with Tino Chrupalla, announced a lawsuit against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) on Monday. The reason? The BfV labeled the entire Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as "conclusively far-right extremist," a classification the party vehemently denies.

The BfV's allegation stems from what they deem an "extremist, anti-human dignity orientation" of the party. Until now, the AfD had only been classified as a suspect case. Now, the AfD seeks to challenge this classification in court.

In a 195-page complaint, the party demands that the BfV refrain from classifying it as a "conclusively far-right extremist endeavor." The trial will take place in Cologne, as the BfV is headquartered there. Interestingly, the Administrative Court of Cologne previously ruled in 2022 on the classification of the AfD as a suspect case, deeming it legal.

Since the upgrade by the BfV, the AfD has reported over a thousand new members. However, the party leaders are hesitant to discuss the number of exits.

The new classification has sparked concern within the party about the potential impact on members serving in the civil service or the military. Yet, they remain tight-lipped about the details.

Of course, not everyone is taking this lying down. Stefanie Hubig, the designated federal minister of justice, has vowed to evaluate the BfV's report on the AfD "in the next few days and weeks." Possible actions include the withdrawal of party funding and preventing AfD members from filling committee posts in the Bundestag.

But, it's important to note that an AfD ban procedure isn't solely dependent on the party's poll results. In Hubig's words, "It cannot depend on whether a party is equipped with two percent of voters or with 30 percent."

As for the fate of the AfD in the Bundestag, Friedrich Merz (CDU), the designated federal chancellor, has expressed his reluctance to elect AfD members as committee chairs. Meanwhile, the SPD and Green Party have made it clear that they won't recommend voting for the AfD.

But, there are voices urging for more rapid action. Jan van Aken, leader of the Left Party, demanded a ban procedure for the AfD immediately. Sören Pellmann, leader of the Left parliamentary group, accuses the SPD and Union of not recognizing the gravity of the situation if they don't want to initiate an examination of a ban procedure against AfD.

AfDBfVClassificationFederal Office for the Protection of the ConstitutionCologneAlice WeidelSPDBundestagDemocracyStefanie Hubig

  1. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, led by Alice Weidel, has taken legal action against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), contesting the BfV's classification of the party as a "conclusively far-right extremist" endeavor.
  2. The 195-page complaint, filed in the Administrative Court of Cologne, demands that the BfV reconsider its classification of the AfD.
  3. Despite the new classification, the AfD has reported over a thousand new members, although party leaders remain hesitant to discuss potential exits.
  4. Stefanie Hubig, the designated federal minister of justice, has promised to review the BfV's report on the AfD in the coming days and weeks, potentially leading to actions such as the withdrawal of party funding and preventing AfD members from filling committee posts in the Bundestag.
  5. Jan van Aken, leader of the Left Party, has called for an immediate ban procedure for the AfD, while Sören Pellmann accuses the SPD and Union of not recognizing the gravity of the situation if they refuse to initiate an examination of a ban procedure against the AfD.

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