Designated party AfD categorically identified as confirmed far-right under constitutional protection warrant. - Political safeguarding of the entire Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party as per the nation's constitution.
Title: Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution Labels AfD as Far-Right, Sparking Controversy
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It's no longer a mere suspicion, because the AfD has been officially labeled as a far-right party by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). This classification, reached after a thorough, 3-year examination, takes into account not just the party's policy and statements, but also the behaviors and statements of its members, as well as their ties to right-wing extremist actors and groups.
The Constitutional Protection began scrutinizing the AfD against the fundamental principles of human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law. Their conclusion? The ethno-nationalist viewpoint prevalent within the party clearly contradicts the liberal democratic constitutional order. For instance, the AfD doesn't acknowledge German citizens with a migration background from majority-Muslim countries as equal members of the ethnically defined German people.
The ethno-nationalist understanding aims to marginalize specific population groups from active participation in society, impose unequal treatment upon them, and assign them a devalued legal status. This leads to blanket defamation and cultivating irrational fears and rejection against these groups.
AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla viewed this re-evaluation as a heavy blow to German democracy. They argued that the AfD is being defamed and criminalized merely a shift in government yet to take place. According to them, this intervention in the democratic process is inherently politically motivated, and they plan to defend themselves legally against these allegations.
The party promptly issued a "cease and desist" letter to the Constitutional Protection, arguing that the classification as a far-right party and the announcement itself are "obviously illegal." Among other concerns, the letter criticizes the drawing of conclusions from individual statements to the entire party and ongoing court proceedings regarding the AfD's status as a suspected case. The agency has been given until Monday morning to issue a declaration of discontinuance or face further legal action.
The incoming Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), suggested that "there will be a judicial review of the classification." However, he acknowledged that the report will likely result in the AfD being monitored further.
Unanimity appeared among federal parties regarding the Constitutional Protection's decision. The CSU leader, Markus Söder, referred to it as a "final wake-up call." "There can be zero tolerance and zero cooperation for enemies of democracy," he stated. The CDU General Secretary confirmed that the position on the AfD "remains the same," promising "no cooperation with this party."
SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch told "Der Spiegel" that the domestic intelligence agency had clearly stated that "the AfD's worldview speaks a clear language." He added, "Racism, whether it sounds like racism or looks like racism, is ultimately racism." The new government needs to "urgently discuss" how to handle the AfD. The Greens described the classification as "consistent," while the Left warned against further normalizing the AfD.
The Central Council of Jews stated that this classification wasn't a surprise but "all the more important for everyone who still naively views this party." The Council declared that representatives of the AfD should never attain state-bearing functions or access to security-relevant information.
The Central Council of Muslims referred to the classification as a "democratic wake-up call" and a "political warning." The Council stated that the classification confirms the bitter reality that Muslim people and other minorities have faced for years. Now, decisive political action is required.
Several parties have now demanded that a ban procedure against the AfD be initiated promptly. However, Faeser clarified that both issues require consideration independently. In the event of a party ban procedure, there are "very high constitutional hurdles" due to legitimate reasons. In any case, there's "no automaticity" following the domestic intelligence agency's decision.
- AfD
- Constitutional Protection
- Human Dignity
- Democracy
- Cologne
- Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
- SPD
- CSU
- The AfD's labeling as a far-right party by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) signals a concern for upholding human dignity and democracy in Germany.
- The Constitutional Protection's scrutiny of the AfD against the principles of the German constitution found their ethno-nationalist viewpoint to contradict the liberal democratic constitutional order.
- Several political parties, including the SPD, CSU, and Greens, have agreed that the AfD's worldview is incompatible with democracy, urging decisive political action.
- The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's (BfV) classification of the AfD as far-right has led to calls for a prompt party ban procedure, despite the high constitutional hurdles involved.
- The Central Council of Jews and Muslims have applauded the BfV's decision, believing it to be a necessary step towards safeguarding the rights and security of minority groups in Germany.
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