Right-wing extremist label for AfD: Green Party leader advocates for a ban
In Stuttgart, Germany, the Baden-Württemberg Green Party state chairman, Pascal Haggenmüller, has called for a ban on the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. This comes following the confirmation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) that the AfD poses a significant threat to democracy and society.
The BfV, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, has classified the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" at the federal level since May 2025. However, this classification does not extend to all state branches of the AfD.
Several regional branches, such as those in Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, have been classified as right-wing extremist organizations by their respective state domestic intelligence agencies. The AfD's Brandenburg branch, in particular, was classified as right-wing extremist in August 2025 based on a detailed 140-page report documenting anti-democratic activities and racism, including connections to far-right extremist groups.
Despite this, it is not yet confirmed that all state branches of the AfD have been officially designated as right-wing extremist by their respective state offices.
Haggenmüller believes that banning the AfD could help dry up their financial resources and dismantle their political structures. He emphasizes the need for continued political confrontation with the AfD, stating that it is important for democracy to demonstrate strength in response to the party.
Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) has also weighed in on the matter, stating that the AfD's appearance of civility is exposed due to this classification. He suggests that it is important to repeatedly expose that the AfD is not an alternative and poisons democratic coexistence.
The AfD leadership disputes these classifications, asserting political motivation in the decisions and threatening legal action against the BfV.
This call for a ban on the AfD in Baden-Württemberg is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the role and legitimacy of the AfD in German politics. The decision confirms that there are good reasons why the BfV has been observing the AfD in Baden-Württemberg since 2022. The implications for Germany's democracy and society if the AfD is indeed banned remain to be seen.
References: 1. dpa/lsw 2. Tagesschau 3. Spiegel Online 4. Der Spiegel
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