Newsletters
A newly released expert report in Germany concluded Thursday that the far-right Alternative for Germany party is unconstitutional and that a possible ban case against it would "probably" succeed.
The report, prepared by experts and released to the public Thursday, comes as AfD has strengthened its position as the strongest political party nationwide, according to polls.
The Berlin-based Society for Civil Rights said in the report that AfD violates the constitution through its use of racist concepts and efforts to intimidate political opponents.
The report found that the party is unconstitutional and meets the conditions for a ban, strengthening the position of those calling for a case to be filed against AfD at the Constitutional Court.
According to the report, AfD violates the principles of democracy and human dignity.
Bijan Moini, one of the authors of the report, based the assessment on the party's "racially based political understanding" and its "ethnic-cultural definition of the people."
Moini said AfD defines "different classes of people" and particularly degrades people with a migration background.
He also said the party seeks to suppress political opponents, which he described as a violation of the democratic principle.
As an example, Moini pointed to AfD members openly saying they would prosecute politicians from other parties if they came to power.
He said AfD's stance showed that the party wanted to intimidate those who think differently.
The final section of the report said a ban case against AfD would "probably" be successful.
Dana-Sophia Valentiner, a member of the Society for Civil Rights board, said the association was not taking a position on whether a ban application should be filed.
She said she hoped the report would be "taken seriously" by politics and society.
Several prominent figures called Thursday for a ban case to be opened against AfD.
Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, a federal lawmaker from the Christian Democratic Union, said the final assessment would belong to the Constitutional Court.
"We have every reason to create the necessary basis for the court to carry out this review," she said.
Winkelmeier-Becker said this would also be in the interest of AfD voters and sympathizers.
"They need to know what they are getting involved in by supporting this party," she added.
Social Democratic Party lawmaker Carmen Wegge called for a joint working group at the federal and state levels on a possible AfD ban.
Wegge said preparatory work should be carried out so that a solid and well-founded application can be submitted to the Constitutional Court "as soon as possible."
Till Steffen of the Greens called for a ban case to be launched "immediately."
Clara Bunger of the Left Party and Stefan Seidler of the South Schleswig Voters' Association also expressed similar views.
Timo Reinfrank, chairman of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, also called for a ban case but said it could not be the only response.
"Those who want to protect democracy must fight the far right now. In parliaments, institutions, schools and together with civil society," Reinfrank said.
A ban application against a party can be submitted by the Federal Council, the Bundestag or the federal government.
A possible case would be heard by the Constitutional Court and would likely take several years to conclude.
Such a step was last discussed intensively in the first half of 2025.
At that time, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, classified AfD as a "confirmed far-right organization" based on its own report.
Following AfD's legal objection, the Cologne Administrative Court temporarily suspended the classification as part of interim measures.
The main case is still ongoing.
According to the latest election poll, AfD continues to lead with 27% support, ahead of the governing Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union.
The CDU and CSU rose by 1 point from the previous week to 22%.
According to the representative survey conducted by Forsa for RTL Deutschland, support for other parties remained unchanged from the previous week.
The Social Democratic Party stood at 12%, the Greens at 15% and the Left Party at 11%.
A quarter of respondents said they did not want to vote or were still undecided.
Germany's next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2029.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
3 min read
