Interior minister reveals professional analysis on evaluating the AfD party - Interior Minister shares views on categorizing the AfD party
In a significant development, Brandenburg's Interior Minister René Wilke (Independent) has announced that the regional branches of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt have been classified as confirmed right-wing extremist. This classification is based on evidence of xenophobia, racism, and opposition to Germany's democratic constitutional order.
The decision follows a thorough investigation by the Interior Ministry and the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution, led by Wilfried Peters. The key points from the official report and statements include:
- The AfD in these eastern states advocates for an ethnocultural concept of the German people that excludes and discriminates against immigrants and Muslims. This exclusionary ideology is a hallmark of right-wing extremist ideology.
- The party's language and political discourse have shifted what is considered acceptable public speech and thought in Germany, dragging political debates toward radical right ideologies. This also involves creating "cultural community spaces" and information bubbles, contributing to political polarization and radicalization within party supporters.
- There are serious statements from AfD officials that amount to an "immediate declaration of war" against democracy and its fundamental principles. This indicates not just extremist positions but an active threat to democratic norms.
- A "fan culture" among AfD supporters fosters groupthink and radicalization. While not all members are extremists, key cadres and those who enthusiastically support the party exhibit clear right-wing extremist behaviors and attitudes.
This assessment is consistent across the four eastern states where AfD’s regional branches have gained significant electoral strength and radicalized their ideological platforms. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has also released an extensive classified report confirming the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavour," labeling it a racist and anti-Muslim organization.
The classification of the AfD Brandenburg has been upgraded from a suspected right-wing extremist case to a confirmed right-wing extremist tendency. The respective state associations of the AfD in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia have been classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist tendency for some time.
The presentation of the reasons for this classification will take place on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in Potsdam, with both Minister Wilke and Peters expected to be present. The state party will provide a comment on the classification in the afternoon (2:00 p.m.) in the state parliament in Potsdam.
This move comes after indications in late 2023 and during 2024 that the AfD state party was hostile to the constitution, as stated in a 142-page paper. The Brandenburg AfD has disputed the publication of the classification note. The SPD interior minister resigned shortly after the former head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The AfD Brandenburg has been accused of longing for "revolutionary conditions" to abolish the "party state." They also exclude German citizens who have a different cultural or religious background. The state party does not recognize the state people as a community of the same citizens.
This classification marks a significant step in the ongoing battle against extremism in German politics. The thorough reports and intelligence monitoring provide a solid basis for this right-wing extremist classification, raising concerns about the potential threat to Germany’s democratic order.
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