German Intelligence Labels AfD Extremist, Merz Criticizes U.S. Officials Amid AfD's Lawsuit

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Updated May 8, 2025, 05:25 AM

Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), has officially classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a 'confirmed right-wing extremist' party. This classification, announced by outgoing Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in her last days in office, has intensified debates over the potential banning of the AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, which secured 20% of the vote in recent federal elections. The decision to label AfD as extremist has sparked significant political controversy. Friedrich Merz, the newly elected German Chancellor and leader of the CDU, has criticized U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Elon Musk, for defending the AfD. Merz emphasized that he did not interfere in the U.S. election and expects the same respect for Germany's internal politics. He plans to discuss this issue in an upcoming call with U.S. President Donald Trump and during the NATO summit in The Hague. In Brandenburg, the regional head of the Verfassungsschutz, Jörg Müller, was dismissed by Interior Minister Katrin Lange following the classification of AfD as extremist in the state. The dismissal has raised questions about the timing and motives behind the decision, especially as it occurred shortly after the AfD was classified in Brandenburg. The AfD has filed a lawsuit against the classification, arguing it represents a 'flagrant breach of law and an attack on democracy.' The party's leadership, including Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, have been cited in the BfV's report for their extremist statements. Merz is also planning to coordinate a common European strategy on defense, meeting with counterparts in Paris and Warsaw.

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Sources

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Die Tagespost

@DieTagespost

Pause before Weimar? Is the AfD “certainly far-right”? The new Minister of the Interior should urgently publish the report on the protection of the Constitution in order to enable a factual debate. https://t.co/EX4FJrVPlq https://t.co/HuOUObWt19

JUNGE FREIHEIT

@Junge_Freiheit

There are calls in the USA to suspend intelligence cooperation with Germany — because of the action against the AfD. The Federal Republic uses “police state methods.” https://t.co/lwdOjEPEUn