The political landscape in Brandenburg has been shaken by the recent classification of the state branch of the Alternative for Germany party (AfD) as definitively right-wing extremist by the Brandenburg Verfassungsschutz, or Office for the Protection of the Constitution. This significant designation, which occurred on April 14, 2025, was only communicated to State Interior Minister Katrin Lange on May 5, 2025, leading to a series of political upheavals.
Previously, the AfD in Brandenburg was categorized as a suspected case of extremism. However, the new classification has escalated tensions not only within the party but also among various political factions in the state. Lange, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), confirmed the classification during a press conference, stating, "The classification as a definitively right-wing extremist association now stands, but with the caveat 'for now.'" This ambiguity leaves room for future developments as the situation unfolds.
In a surprising move, Lange dismissed Jörg Müller, the head of the Verfassungsschutz, placing him on temporary retirement due to a lack of trust. This decision came just a day after the classification was made public. The Interior Ministry clarified that while Müller did not violate any official directives regarding the classification, he failed to inform the top management in a timely manner, which Lange interpreted as a breach of trust. Müller, however, defended his actions, arguing that he had not done anything wrong and had informed other state offices about the classification.
The classification of the Brandenburg AfD has sparked outrage among its members. AfD parliamentarian Lena Kotré expressed her disbelief, calling the classification "absurd" and a blatant mischaracterization of the party. Her colleague, Wilko Möller, accused the government of using "intelligence means" to destroy the party. This sentiment was echoed during a heated debate in the state parliament, where tensions ran high between AfD and SPD members.
Meanwhile, the situation is further complicated by the federal classification of the AfD. The Bundes-AfD, the federal level of the party, has also been classified as definitively right-wing extremist, a designation that has not yet been applied to the Berlin Landesverband (state branch). This discrepancy raises questions about the consistency of assessments across different regions, particularly as the Berlin branch shares the same address as its federal counterpart in Reinickendorf.
Kristin Brinker, the leader of the Berlin AfD, has vehemently denied any allegations of extremism, asserting that such classifications are unfounded. In a recent interview, she stated, "The accusations against us are simply not true. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has only scrutinized statements made by individual party officials, which I believe are protected by freedom of speech." Brinker emphasized that while some statements may be controversial, they do not equate to right-wing extremism.
Brinker’s rejection of the extremism label has been met with skepticism from other political leaders. Werner Graf, the parliamentary group leader of the Greens, remarked, "They act so hypocritically, but in truth, they are just as bad as everyone else." Graf cited the affiliation of new party members with known far-right figures as evidence of the party's extremist tendencies. He and others are calling for a ban on the AfD, arguing that the federal classification should serve as a signal to remove the party from public institutions.
Jan Lehmann, an SPD expert on constitutional protection, views the classification as a step toward a potential ban, but he insists that there must be clear evidence of the AfD's aggressive behavior. On the other hand, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) remains cautious about pursuing a ban, with spokesperson Stephan Lenz highlighting the complexities involved in such a decision. He stated, "The decision to ban a party, especially the largest opposition party, is delicate. What if it fails?"
Despite the intense scrutiny, the classification at the federal level does not impose immediate consequences for civil servants in Berlin who are members of the AfD. According to the Berlin state administration, civil servants are required to maintain neutrality and loyalty to the constitution, but there is no obligation to disclose party membership unless individual misconduct is proven.
As the political climate evolves, the SPD is facing internal questions regarding Lange's decision to dismiss Müller. Erik Stohn, the deputy leader of the SPD parliamentary group, expressed regret over the dismissal, indicating that many within the party were surprised by the move. Stohn emphasized the importance of trust between the minister and the Verfassungsschutz, stating, "Trust is a precious commodity." A special session of the SPD parliamentary group was convened to discuss the implications of these developments.
Andrea Lübcke, the state chair of the Greens, defended the classification, asserting that it is not a political judgment but rather the result of years of observation and thorough investigation by the Verfassungsschutz. Conversely, Sebastian Walter, the state chair of the Left party, criticized the dismissal of Müller as a politically motivated act aimed at silencing dissent within the agency.
The Brandenburg AfD has been under suspicion since 2020, and recent reports suggest that a classification as definitively right-wing extremist had been planned for some time, but was postponed due to upcoming elections. The situation in Brandenburg is emblematic of a broader national debate regarding the rise of right-wing extremism in Germany. As political leaders grapple with these issues, the implications of the Verfassungsschutz's classification will likely continue to resonate across the country.
As the dust settles on this political upheaval, one thing remains clear: the classification of the AfD as definitively right-wing extremist is not just a label; it is a catalyst for ongoing political conflict and a reflection of the challenges facing German democracy today.
