New classification of the AfD: Klingbeil: AfD politically “get small” – Orban supports AfD

The classification of the AfD as secure right -wing extremist has triggered a debate about dealing with its party members in the civil service. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul warned of quick shots. The CDU politician told the WDR: “If you want to remove someone from the public service, you have to prove that exactly this person has violated her duty of loyalty to the state.” He pleaded for caution and added: “And a membership in an organization is a reason – but I don’t think that is sufficient?

Note to Thuringian officials years ago

Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) told the German Press Agency that after the classification of the AfD state association, the civil servants in his federal state were instructed as secure right-wing extremist struts in 2021 that a commitment to the party could have disciplinary consequences. “However, mere membership is not enough,” he added.

The individual case test also applies to prospective civil servants, i.e. for people in the legal clerkship, said Reul. There is no automatism either.

Employee surveys on party memberships are also not intended for civil servants in the security authorities. In the case of security checks that employees have to undergo regularly in the case of the police, the Bundeswehr and the intelligence services, any memberships in extremist parties and groups are to be specified.

It became known on Friday that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD as secured right -wing extremist. Since then, possible consequences have been discussed. Reul emphasized that the NRW authorities would now thoroughly evaluate the documentation of the Federal Constitutional Protection. It is checked which consequences the country can draw. “I’m not a friend of quick shots,” emphasized Reul. In the end, possible government measures should also have existed in court.

Interior Minister wants to deal with a new AfD rating

The topic is also to be discussed at the next Interior Ministers’ Conference of the countries, as a spokeswoman for the IMK chairman said. Bremen’s Senator Ulrich Mäurer (SPD) held the chair this year.

The conference is planned for June 11th to 13th, 2025 in Bremerhaven. There is a discussion about three things: possible consequences for AfD members in the civil service, state party financing and a possible AfD ban procedure.

The Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) said the “Bild”: “We also have to check what consequences this classification must have for the activity of AfD members in the public service.” The decision of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution also gives “reason to check whether the AfD can be excluded on this basis by the state party financing”.

Debate about possible AfD ban

An application for a ban on an extremist party can be submitted by the Bundestag, the Federal Government or the Federal Council. The Federal Constitutional Court makes the decision. In such a procedure, the affected party would have to be demonstrated that it is acting aggressive-fighting against the constitution.

So far, there has been no majority for an application for an AfD ban in the Federal Council, said Thuringia’s Interior Minister Maier. At the same time, he expressed hope that this would change after the party’s re -assessment by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. He also sees an opportunity for a majority in the Bundestag too.

Maier said the way in which the AfD judgments are in question and judges accuse judges, provide significant information here. The aggressively combative element was expressed, for example, in the constituent meeting of the Thuringian state parliament. The meeting sank into chaos at the end of September due to the appearance of AfD President Jürgen Treutler.

Klingbeil: Prohibition application would not replace political struggle

According to SPD boss Lars Klingbeil, a possible AfD ban proceedings cannot replace the political struggle against the party. The “Bild am Sonntag” he said: “What I don’t believe is that a possible ban procedure that could take years that could take years, the sole instrument is to get the AfD small. We have to be politically exhausted.” With another political style, the government must give people security and not stand out by arguments.

In a representative survey by the Institute Insa for the “Bild am Sonntag”, 48 percent of those surveyed are that the AfD is now being banned. 37 percent are against it, 15 percent do not know. In addition, 61 percent consider the AfD to be a right -wing extremist party, 31 percent do not do this, 8 percent do not know. Insa interviewed 1,001 people on Friday and Saturday.

Solidarity expression for the AfD of Orban

The AfD, which announced that he would legally defend itself against the revaluation by the constitutional protection, was given moral support from Hungary’s head of government, Viktor Orban. He wrote at X in English: “What the hell is going in Germany? You can count on us @alice Weidel!”. To do this, he posted a photo on which he shakes his hand from the AfD co-chair. Weidel spread his expression of solidarity on X and thanked Orban for his “encouraging words”.