Germany’s top intelligence agency has officially labeled the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist organization, stating that its views pose a threat to the country’s democratic foundations.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution made the announcement on Friday, saying that the party promotes a vision of society that undermines the core values of the German constitution. The decision now allows the agency to expand surveillance on the party using confidential informants, tapping communications, and other covert methods typically reserved for extremist threats.
The AfD, which made significant gains in February’s federal election by finishing second, has not yet commented on the classification. The ruling could carry serious consequences for its future, including restrictions on members working in the civil service and a potential decline in new recruits.
According to the agency, the AfD promotes an identity based on ethnicity and ancestry, which excludes many Germans from immigrant backgrounds, especially those from Muslim-majority countries. Officials said the party’s rhetoric contributes to division, incites hostility, and assigns a lower legal and social status to certain groups within society.
These views, the agency argued, are incompatible with Germany’s democratic order. By pushing for exclusion and vilifying minorities, the AfD is accused of fueling fear and mistrust within communities, in ways that directly challenge constitutional rights.
The timing of the decision is particularly significant, as it comes just before Friedrich Merz is set to take office as Germany’s new chancellor. The rise of the AfD has stirred heated discussions in parliament, especially as the party’s increased seat count could entitle it to lead several key committees. However, opposition from mainstream parties might block those appointments.
While some observers welcomed the decision as a necessary step to defend democracy, others warned it could boost the AfD’s support among those who already believe the party is unfairly treated. The AfD has long claimed that it is being pushed out by a political elite working to silence opposition voices.
Parts of the AfD had already been under close watch, including its youth wing and some regional branches. In 2021, the entire party was designated a suspected extremist group, setting the stage for Friday’s escalation.
The move now puts the AfD in the same category as other far-right groups deemed dangerous to the democratic order. It marks a turning point in how German authorities handle rising political extremism in one of Europe’s most influential democracies.