Germany rejects US Senator Rubio’s criticism of AfD extremist classification

The German cabinet has firmly dismissed criticism from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio regarding the German domestic intelligence agency’s decision to classify the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist group.

Senator Rubio, in a statement made on Friday, labeled the move “tyranny in disguise,” arguing that granting the agency expanded powers to surveil a political opposition party was undemocratic and called for the German government to reverse its decision.

“We strongly reject the statements made by the U.S. Secretary of State,” said Foreign Office spokesman Sebastian Fischer on Monday, clarifying Rubio’s title was misstated. “I also reiterate that the insinuations contained therein have no basis in reality. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has the legitimate task of protecting democracy and the rule of law from extremists and enemies of the constitution.”

Foreign Office spokesman Sebastian Fischer, speaking on Monday, clarified that Rubio’s title was misstated and emphasized, “We strongly reject the statements made by the U.S. Senator Rubio. I also reiterate that the insinuations contained therein have no basis in reality. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has the legitimate task of protecting democracy and the rule of law from extremists and enemies of the constitution.” 

Fischer underscored that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, made the AfD designation independently and that its actions are subject to review by independent courts. 

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German Interior Ministry spokesman Lars Harmsen reiterated that the BfV’s decision-making process is classified and that the findings leading to the AfD designation cannot be publicly disclosed.

According to reports from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the AfD has filed a lawsuit against the BfV in response to the May 2 designation.

The classification allows for broader surveillance of the party and is seen as a step towards a potential future ban.

AfD co-chairs Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel have strongly condemned the decision, describing it as a blow to democracy.

Notably, several recent polls have indicated that the AfD is currently ahead of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), the conservative bloc that won snap elections in February, highlighting the sensitive political context of this classification.