Germany’s AfD Party Classified as Suspected Case of Right-Wing Extremism
The domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a nationwide “suspected case” of right-wing extremism. This means that, in theory, the authorities can keep a closer eye on the party using various intelligence methods like informants or telephone surveillance.
AfD’s Legal Battle
The AfD is not taking this classification lightly. They've been fighting it in court. The BfV President, Thomas Haldenwag, mentioned in a video conference with state authorities that the AfD has been treated as a suspected case since February 25. However, due to ongoing legal disputes, this classification hasn't been officially confirmed by the BfV yet.
This situation actually started back in January when the classification was first announced. The AfD quickly filed urgent requests and lawsuits to block the classification and keep it from being publicly communicated. The court has made it clear that no AfD Bundestag members or candidates will be monitored by intelligence until the legal proceedings are wrapped up. "With a view to the ongoing proceedings and out of respect for the court, the BfV is not making a public statement on this matter," a spokesperson said.
What’s in the Report?
A whopping 1,000-page report forms the basis for the AfD’s classification as a suspected case of far-right extremism. This report includes evidence of the party’s alleged violations of the democratic basic order over the past two years. It details statements made by AfD officials and connections between AfD politicians and anti-constitutional organizations, networks, and actors. The report concludes that there are numerous indications and pieces of evidence that the AfD party as a whole shows anti-constitutional tendencies, justifying its classification as a “suspected case of right-wing extremism.”
Historical Context
This isn’t the first time the BfV has had its eye on the AfD. Back at the beginning of 2019, the entire AfD party was classified as a “test case” by the BfV. This happens when an organization isn’t clearly extremist, but there are “actual indications” of anti-constitutional activities.
What’s Next?
The ruling to allow the Verfassungsschutz to monitor the AfD is seen as a significant step against fascism. However, it's important to remember that this is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The fight against right-wing extremism extends beyond any single party and involves ongoing scrutiny of broader networks and ideologies.
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