German spy agency designates AfD as ‘right-wing extremist’ group over ‘racist comments’ and ‘disregard of human dignity’ – after opposition party came second in recent elections

By KUMAIL JAFFER

Published: 10:13 BST, 2 May 2025 | Updated: 10:15 BST, 2 May 2025

Far-right German political party Alternative for Germady (AfD) has been classified as an extremist entity that threatens democracy by Berlin’s domestic intelligence agency.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) said the entity, which came second in February’s federal election, was a ‘proven right-wing extremist organisation’.

While some parts of the AfD – such as its youth wing and some state-level branches – have already been classified as extremist, this is the first time that the party, which has national representation in parliament, has been formally designated.

The new classification doesn’t ban the party, but it allows German authorities to intensify surveillance, including the use of undercover informants and monitoring communications. 

A 1,000-page internal report from the BfV accuses the AfD of violating core constitutional principles such as human dignity and the rule of law. 

‘The ethnicity- and ancestry-based conception of the people that predominates within the party is not compatible with the free democratic order,’ the agency said.

‘It aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society, to subject them to treatment that violates the constitution, and thereby assign them a legally subordinate status.’ 

Alice Weidel, Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-leader, reacts on the day of a party parliamentary fraction meeting following the German Federal Elections in February

The new classification doesn’t ban the party, but it allows German authorities to intensify surveillance, including the use of undercover informants and monitoring communications

The party won a record number of seats in February, which theoretically entitles it to chair several key parliamentary committees

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: ‘The AfD represents an ethnic concept that discriminates against entire population groups and treats citizens with a history of migration as second-class Germans.

‘Their ethnic attitude is reflected in racist statements, especially against immigrants and Muslims.’  

The decision comes days before conservative leader Friedrich Merz is due to be sworn in as Germany’s new chancellor and amid a heated debate over how to deal with the AfD in the new parliament.

The party won a record number of seats which theoretically entitles it to chair several key parliamentary committees although it would still need the backing of other parties.

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German spy agency designates AfD as ‘right-wing extremist’ group over ‘racist comments’ and ‘disregard of human dignity’ – after opposition party came second in recent elections

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