Germany Defends Classification of AfD as Right-Wing Extremist Amid U.S. Criticism

Germany’s Foreign Office has staunchly defended its classification of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization, following sharp rebukes from U.S. officials. The decision has sparked a heated exchange, with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance accusing German “bureaucrats” of metaphorically reconstructing the Berlin Wall, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the designation as “tyranny in disguise.”

In an unusual response, the German Foreign Office addressed Rubio directly on social media platform X, stating, “We have learned from our history that right-wing extremism needs to be stopped.” This assertion references Germany’s tumultuous past and the lessons drawn from it.

The classification stems from findings by the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, which concluded that the AfD’s “prevailing understanding of people based on ethnicity and descent” contradicts the country’s commitment to a “free democratic order.” The AfD recently secured second place in the federal elections, winning a record 152 seats in the 630-seat parliament with 20.8% of the vote.

Previously, the BfV had labeled the AfD as right-wing extremist in three eastern states, where the party enjoys significant popularity. The agency has now extended this designation to encompass the entire party, stating that the AfD “aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society.” Notably, the BfV pointed out that the party does not regard citizens “from predominantly Muslim countries” as equal members of the German populace.

AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla denounced the classification as “clearly politically motivated” and a “severe blow to German democracy.” Beatrix von Storch, the party’s deputy parliamentary leader, likened the designation to actions taken by authoritarian regimes, asserting that it reflects how a dictatorship treats opposition parties.

The new classification grants German authorities enhanced powers to monitor AfD activities, including the ability to conduct phone interceptions and deploy undercover agents. In response, Rubio reiterated his criticism on X, asserting, “That’s not democracy — it’s tyranny in disguise.” The German Foreign Office countered his claims, insisting that the decision was made following a “thorough and independent investigation” and could be subject to appeal. “We have learned from our history that right-wing extremism needs to be stopped,” the office concluded, alluding to the atrocities of the Nazi regime.

The exchange intensified after Vance, who met with Weidel in Munich shortly before the election, expressed concerns about bureaucratic efforts to undermine the AfD. “The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt — not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment,” he stated on X.

This classification has reignited discussions about possibly banning the AfD, particularly ahead of a parliamentary vote next week to confirm conservative leader Friedrich Merz as chancellor, who will lead a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). Lars Klingbeil, the SPD leader poised to become vice-chancellor and finance minister, remarked that while no hasty decisions would be made, the government would consider the implications of the AfD’s actions seriously. “They want a different country; they want to destroy our democracy. And we must take that very seriously,” Klingbeil told Bild newspaper.