The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is signaling a hardening stance toward the Alternative for Germany (AfD), suggesting that allegations of espionage on behalf of Russia should be a central consideration in any potential move to ban the party. Sonja Eichwede, Vice-Chair of the SPD parliamentary group, told the Handelsblatt that the state has a responsibility to safeguard itself against foreign influence, referencing concerns raised by Thuringian Interior Minister Georg Maier.
Maier has publicly voiced suspicions that AfD members are engaged in spying for Russia, both within the Thuringian state parliament and the national Bundestag. This suspicion has been amplified by the planned trip to Moscow by Markus Frohnmaier, AfD’s Deputy Parliamentary Group leader, which has been branded “irresponsible and dangerous” by Eichwede. The SPD is advocating for a more rigorous examination of what they describe as the “treasonous aspect” of the AfD’s behavior in the context of a potential ban.
The allegations stem from growing unease regarding the AfD’s increasingly overt ties to Russia and the potential for foreign interference in German politics. While legal scholars caution against a premature judgment on whether the AfD’s activities constitute treason – a complex legal question particularly relevant to travel to Russia – they acknowledge that a conviction for espionage would significantly bolster arguments for a ban.
According to Article 21 of the German Basic Law, parties that aim to undermine or abolish the democratic constitutional order or endanger the existence of the Federal Republic are deemed unconstitutional and subject to prohibition. The Federal Constitutional Court holds the sole authority to rule on the constitutionality of political parties.
The SPD’s move reflects a growing perception within the German political establishment that the AfD poses a fundamental threat to democratic institutions. While the process of banning a political party is lengthy and requires substantial legal evidence, the escalating scrutiny surrounding the AfD highlights the severity with which the German government views the party’s alignment with potentially destabilizing external forces. The current focus, however, brings into sharp relief the delicate balance between safeguarding democratic principles and upholding the right to political expression.