German state classifies AfD party branch as ‘proven right-wing extremist’

BERLIN

The eastern German state of Brandenburg on Thursday classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a "proven right-wing extremist" organization, accusing it of pursuing anti-democratic goals.

At a press conference in Potsdam, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Rene Wilke presented the findings of the state’s intelligence agency, underlining their commitment to combating the AfD's anti-constitutional objectives.

"The AfD's actions increasingly demonstrate that it is pursuing a path to undermine the democratic state and its institutions. Despite their repeated denials, key party representatives reveal this agenda through their statements," he said. "Our responsibility is to employ the legal means at our disposal to redirect the AfD away from its anti-constitutional course or ensure it faces consequences."

Wilfried Peters, head of Brandenburg's intelligence agency, said the organization has documented the anti-democratic and anti-constitutional aims of the AfD's regional branch in a comprehensive 140-page report.

"The AfD Brandenburg is highly xenophobic and, in parts, racist. The party advocates an ethnocultural concept of the German people that excludes and discriminates against certain individuals," he said, referring to the far-right party's discriminatory stance against immigrants and Muslims.

"Additionally, there are serious statements from AfD party officials that are directed as an immediate declaration of war against democracy and its central core, the free democratic constitutional order," he said.

Brandenburg's decision to classify the AfD's regional branch as a "proven right-wing extremist" organization follows similar classifications made earlier in the federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.

The AfD's rise to become Germany's second-largest party, with over 20% support in February's parliamentary elections, has alarmed mainstream parties concerned about the future of German democracy amid growing polarization.

The party has built its support base through anti-migration campaigns and by stoking fears about Muslims and immigrants. The AfD has also capitalized on widespread frustration with traditional political parties and concerns about economic decline.

In a poll released earlier this week, the AfD surpassed Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats, reaching 26% support – up one percentage point from the previous week. According to the RTL/ntv poll, Merz's conservative CDU/CSU alliance dropped one point to 24%.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), Merz's junior coalition partner, remains stagnant at 13% in the polls, representing a decline of more than three percentage points from their February election performance.