A senior politician from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has expressed concerns over the potential ties of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to Russia and China and has called for the examination of a ban on the party. The politician, Dirk Wiese, made the remarks following the release of the new domestic intelligence report, which highlighted the growing threat of right-wing extremism and the use of hybrid warfare by Russia to undermine democratic societies.
Wiese warned that the peaceful coexistence in a democracy is no longer a given and that the AfD, as the parliamentary arm of right-wing extremists, is not only promoting a völkisch-rechtsextremist ideology but is also allegedly funded by Russia and China. He emphasized that the orchestrated attacks on the country’s liberal way of life and the rule of law can only be countered by utilizing all the means of a robust democracy, including the possibility of a ban on the AfD.
The politician also stressed the need to strengthen the civil society forces in the country, stating that a strong and resilient society is the most effective way to counter the destroyers of democracy. The Greens have also called for a swift examination of a ban on the AfD, with the party’s parliamentary group vice-chair, Konstantin von Notz, emphasizing the urgent need for the government to demonstrate its ability to defend democracy.
Notz suggested that a Bund-Länder working group be established to discuss the feasibility of a ban on the AfD and also highlighted the importance of prevention in combating extremism, including the long-term support for civil society organizations that promote democracy.