BERLIN – Incoming interior minister Alexander Dobrindt has cast doubt on the likelihood of banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, despite its recent classification as “extremist” by the country’s domestic intelligence agency.
Dobrindt said the AfD’s actions may not meet the strict legal threshold set by Germany’s Constitutional Court for outlawing political parties, emphasizing that it must demonstrate “aggressive, combative” opposition to democracy. He advocated for addressing the underlying issues that fuel AfD’s popularity instead of relying solely on legal bans. Meanwhile, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel dismissed the extremism label as politically motivated, vowing the party would become part of Germany’s future government.