Berlin. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is facing significant internal turmoil following a recent classification by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor." This designation has led to the departure of Sieghard Knodel, a newly elected member of the Bundestag from Baden-Württemberg, who announced his resignation from both the AfD parliamentary group and the party itself.
Knodel's resignation was confirmed by a spokesperson for the AfD and reported by various media outlets, including ZDF. In an email dated May 5, 2025, Knodel expressed his reasons for leaving, stating, "In light of the classification of the party as confirmed right-wing extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, I must protect my private and business environment." He described his decision as unavoidable, albeit reluctantly taken, and indicated that he would continue to serve as a non-attached member of parliament.
The AfD's parliamentary representation has now decreased to 151 members, having previously seen a surge in seats from 77 at the end of the last legislative period to 152 following the February 2025 elections. Despite this setback, the party maintains that it will continue its operations and has already filed a lawsuit against the classification.
The classification by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which took effect on May 2, 2025, reflects the agency's assessment of the party's overall extremist character, which it claims disregards human dignity. This decision follows a lengthy evaluation process that culminated in a comprehensive report exceeding 1,100 pages, detailing evidence of the party's anti-constitutional activities.
In a statement regarding Knodel's departure, the Reutlingen district association of the AfD expressed surprise and disappointment. They asserted that the classification is politically motivated and lacks factual basis, describing it as the result of actions by a "directive authority." They criticized Knodel for not recognizing the political implications of his decision to leave the party.
Knodel's resignation is not just a personal decision but part of a broader narrative surrounding the AfD's struggle with its public image and the consequences of its extremist classification. Since 2021, the party has been under scrutiny as a suspected right-wing extremist organization, which has allowed the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution to employ intelligence methods to gather information on the party.
The classification as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" organization means that the threshold for using such intelligence methods has been lowered, allowing for more invasive actions, including surveillance and the use of informants. This development raises questions about the future of the AfD and its ability to maintain its political standing in Germany.
The AfD has consistently denied the allegations of extremism and has vowed to contest the classification in court. Party leaders, including Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, have been vocal in their criticism of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, arguing that the assessment is politically charged and unfounded.
As the political landscape in Germany continues to evolve, the implications of the AfD's classification will likely resonate beyond the party itself. The situation reflects broader societal concerns regarding extremism and the challenges faced by political entities that grapple with accusations of radicalism.
Knodel's departure is a notable event in this ongoing saga, symbolizing the internal conflicts within the AfD as it navigates the fallout from its recent classification. As he moves forward as a non-attached member of parliament, the question remains: how will the AfD respond to this crisis, and what does it mean for the future of right-wing politics in Germany?
In the meantime, the Reutlingen AfD district association has called for Knodel to return his mandate to the party, arguing that his continued presence in parliament as a non-attached member undermines the will of the voters who elected him on the party's ticket. The association's leadership expressed disappointment that Knodel could not see the political reality of the situation and emphasized the need for unity within the party.
As the AfD continues to face scrutiny from both the government and the public, its leaders are likely to rally their supporters and attempt to mitigate the damage caused by this internal rift. The coming weeks will be crucial for the party as it seeks to redefine its image and respond to the challenges posed by its classification.
With the political atmosphere in Germany already charged, the AfD's next steps will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics alike. The party's response to this crisis could very well shape its future trajectory in the German political landscape.
