The North Rhine-Westphalian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has identified the Junge Alternative (JA), the youth wing of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), in the state, as a potential right-wing extremist group. Interior Minister Herbert Reul from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has shared his concerns, stating that the JA tends to operate outside the rules of democracy with their own set of extremist regulations.
Following this assessment, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution will now monitor JA's activities more closely. According to Minster Reul, the state association of JA in NRW aligns itself ideologically with the federal association, adopting a "national-ethnic understanding of the people" and holding xenophobic views. The group also expresses hostile stances towards individuals with a migration background and Muslims.
For years, JA NRW has developed into a significant figure in the right-wing extremist movement of the New Right. They are known for promoting the Identitarian Movement and its successor organizations like Lukreta, Revolte Rheinland, 1 Prozent, and the Institut für Staatspolitik on social media platforms.
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution also cites the group's affiliations, as they allow individuals with right-wing extremist backgrounds to actively participate in JA NRW. These connections, together with their proximity to the formally dissolved extreme-right wing of the federal AfD party and its ideological leader Björn Höcke, contribute to the classification of JA as a suspected right-wing extremist organization.
When a suspected case of anti-constitutional aspirations emerges, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has the authority to survey and store personal data under strict conditions. They can even utilize intelligence service techniques, such as surveillance or employing informants.
The AfD federal party and its youth organization are currently in dispute with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as the party is fighting against being classified as a suspected case of right-wing extremism. This dispute has reached the Münster Higher Administrative Court.
Minister Reul emphasizes that the political response to this situation needs to come from political leaders, who should develop and advocate policies that help the nation's people. He encourages discussions to be held in a sensible manner.
This classification is not an isolated incident, as similar investigations are underway across Germany, including at the federal level. The developments related to the AfD and its youth wing have sparked a broader discussion about the role of extremist parties in democratic societies and the boundaries of freedom of speech and assembly.
