Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has been designated as right-wing extremist by the country’s federal office for the protection of the constitution.
“The ethnicity- and ancestry-based understanding of the people prevailing within the party is incompatible with the free democratic order,” the domestic intelligence agency said in a statement.
The far-right AfD had already been placed under observation for suspected extremism in Germany, and the intelligence agency had also classed it as right-wing extremist in three states in the east, where its popularity is highest.
Acting Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the agency had made a clear and unambiguous decision with “no political influence whatsoever”, after a comprehensive review and a report of 1,100 pages.
As part of its role in ensuring Germany’s “free democratic basic order”, the domestic intelligence agency is responsible for both counter-intelligence and investigating terror threats.
