German intelligence sparks debate with AfD extremist label
The media continue to discuss the decision of the German counterintelligence service, which has recognised the AfD as a right-wing extremist group. "The party can be banned, but not its voters," writes one commentator.
The decision of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the German civilian counterintelligence service, to classify the Alternative for Germany as an extremist party, continues to be the subject of discussion in the German press. Monday's newspaper editions also reacted to the remarks of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called the counterintelligence's decision a "hidden tyranny."
A commentator from the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" writes that the US Secretary of State "exaggerated immensely." As stated in the paper, "Germany is a state of law and the office (counterintelligence) has its legally defined tasks."
Referring to the discussion on attempts to ban the AfD, the commentator writes: "What drives AfD voters cannot be resolved by banning the party. Just as in the United States or other Western countries, migration and social liberalisation are perceived as a loss of control, homeland and tradition. German politicians must find more convincing answers than before. What the new coalition is planning, such as stricter border controls, would be a first step. This would have to be in the spirit of Rubio, who also criticised open border policies."
The allegations by Rubio are also addressed by a commentator from the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".
"When tyrants accuse democrats of tyranny, it always has a peculiar taste. Everyone in Germany has the opportunity to appeal to a court. The government even complies with every verdict. It doesn't even threaten judges. But there's no need to explain this to Rubio; he just pretends to believe what he's saying," writes the journalist.
You can ban a party, but not its voters
In the regional newspaper "Rhein-Zeitung," we read: "The issue of banning the AfD arises at a decidedly inopportune moment. The topic is more sensitive, more explosive than almost any other. After all, it involves significant interference in the German party landscape, which the constitution indeed allows. However, the AfD won about 20 percent of the votes in the last general election. The party can be banned, but not its voters."
The "Landshuter Zeitung" comments: "Friedrich Merz must make a decision. Without his party's votes, there would not be the necessary majority to carry out the banning procedure. The chancellor could shield himself with forthcoming legal disputes and thus play for time. However, strategically, this would not be a prudent move."
"In the coming year, elections will be held in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, and then in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. These are states where the AfD is strongly represented or is even the strongest force in polls. An unclear stance by the CDU chairman on the ban on the AfD would be a burden under which the campaigners could crumble," we read.
