"Politician Woidke acknowledges errors regarding AfD"
In a significant development, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been officially classified as a "confirmed right-wing extremist organization" at the federal level since May 2025 by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). This designation, which allows for extensive government monitoring and could lead to restrictions on public funding or even a ban, has sparked debate and controversy across Germany.
The classification has been echoed in several German states, including Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. In Brandenburg, a 140-page report by the state intelligence agency confirmed the AfD Brandenburg branch as a far-right extremist group, citing its xenophobic, racist positions and anti-democratic activities.
The party strongly disputes these designations, arguing they are politically motivated attacks restricting freedom of speech and legitimate criticism of immigration policies. The AfD has initiated legal action against the BfV's decision.
The classification has prompted discussions about potential consequences, such as banning AfD members from public service positions like civil servants, police, teachers, and soldiers. However, the party remains the largest opposition faction in Brandenburg's state parliament.
The SPD, the ruling party in Brandenburg, and its coalition partner, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), have differing views on a ban procedure for the AfD. While the SPD had previously demanded serious preparations for an AfD ban procedure, the BSW is against such a move.
The head of government, Dietmar Woidke (SPD), acknowledges that a potential AfD ban procedure would be a difficult path politically and legally. He admits mistakes in dealing with the AfD and acknowledges that the substantive debate with the party has often been neglected in recent years.
In response to these developments, the interior ministers of the federal and state governments have decided to set up a working group to assess the impact of the classification on civil service, gun ownership, and security checks. The group will also evaluate the potential effects of the AfD's classification on various aspects, including civil service, gun ownership, and security checks.
Woidke states that the AfD is different compared to previous right-wing splinter parties, being more strategic, more professional, and specifically targeting societal fears. The AfD in Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt were previously upgraded from a suspected case to securely right-wing extremist.
As Germany grapples with a sharp rise in far-right extremism, with a 23% increase in far-right extremist individuals in 2024, the classification of the AfD as right-wing extremist reflects growing concern over the party's radicalization and anti-democratic agenda, especially in eastern German states where it holds significant electoral power.
[1] Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) [2] Source: Brandenburg's interior ministry report [3] Source: Brandenburg's state intelligence agency report [4] Source: Die Zeit newspaper [5] Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) report on far-right extremism in Germany
- The classification of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a "confirmed right-wing extremist organization" has raised questions about potential policy and legislation changes, such as restrictions on public funding, bans on membership in public service positions, and assessments of civil service, gun ownership, and security checks.
- Amidst this contentious political climate, the SPD and Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) have offered contrasting views about a potential AfD ban procedure, with the SPD seeking serious preparations and the BSW opposing such a move.
- As debates about war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news intervene, the interior ministers of the federal and state governments, in an attempt to address the impact of the AfD's classification, have established a working group to evaluate the implications of the designation on various aspects of society, including public service, security, and gun ownership.
