Listen to this article

Senator Tom Cotton Demands Halt in Intelligence Sharing With Germany's BfV Over AfD's Right-Wing Extremist Label

22 posts • Grok (2)

Published May 9, 2025, 04:49 PM

Senator Tom Cotton, the chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, has called for a halt to all intelligence sharing with Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), due to its recent classification of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a 'right-wing extremist' group. This classification allows the BfV to intensify surveillance on the AfD, which is Germany's largest opposition party and the second strongest force in the last elections.

Cotton's letter to Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, expresses concern over what he describes as 'police state tactics' being used against political opponents in Germany. He argues that such actions are more typical of authoritarian regimes like China or Russia, rather than a major Western European nation. Cotton suggests that instead of undermining the AfD, the German government should address the legitimate concerns of its citizens that are driving support for the party.

The AfD has been gaining ground in German politics, with recent polls showing it surpassing the Green Party in Baden-Württemberg, led by Winfried Kretschmann. The AfD now stands at 19% support in the region, compared to 17% for the Greens, while the CDU maintains 31% and the Linke at 8%. This shift in voter preference is seen as a significant development in the political landscape of the state, with CDU's Manuel Hagel and the Greens' Cem Özdemir being key figures in the upcoming elections, following the election of Friedrich Merz as Chancellor.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

Related Prediction Markets

German government files appeal to ban AfD in 2025?

AfD banned in 2025?

•

Sources

youtube.com(4)schwaebische.de(4)sueddeutsche.de(2)msn.com

Neverforgetniki

@nikitheblogger

In Thuringia, the Protection of the Constitution has classified the AfD as certainly far-right. New INSA SURVEY: AfD strongest force with 35% in Thuringia. And even 43% can imagine voting for AfD. The Protection of the Constitution doesn't seem to be itchy anymore?

Neverforgetniki

@nikitheblogger

+++ SHARE +++ The USA is threatening sanctions should the AfD continue to be harassed by the Protection of the Constitution! Watch my new video from today here: https://t.co/78Ff7QldWa https://t.co/XayufSsS0r

MSN Deutschland

@msnde

AfD is ahead of Kretschmann's Greens for the first time — but one party is winning even more https://t.co/AssRV4u2nn

Senator Tom Cotton Demands Halt in Intelligence Sharing With Germany's BfV Over AfD's Right-Wing Extremist Label

Related Prediction Markets

German government files appeal to ban AfD in 2025?

AfD banned in 2025?

Sources

Similar Stories