Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) agreed at a party conference on Sunday to prepare a ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, also Vice Chancellor in Friedrich Merz’s government, stated that once the domestic security service confirms the AfD as a right-wing extremist party, there is no more room for tactical manoeuvring.
The approved motion calls on constitutional authorities to lay the groundwork for declaring the AfD unconstitutional.
The AfD is known for its anti-immigration, anti-Muslim stance, along with eurosceptic and nationalist rhetoric, which has long divided German politics.
Last month, Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) classified the AfD as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” group, enabling closer monitoring. Following this, calls for a ban intensified.
However, the AfD appealed the BfV decision, temporarily suspending the classification. Pending a court ruling in Cologne, the party is treated as a “suspected right-wing extremist party.”
By capitalising on economic dissatisfaction and growing unrest over migration, the AfD has gained significant ground and is currently Germany’s largest opposition party.
