Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), has classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization, a move currently awaiting judicial review. The BfV asserts that the AfD is attempting to undermine Germany's free and democratic order, prompting a lawsuit from AfD leaders who claim the classification is politically motivated and violates the constitution by criminalizing the party's opinions and criticism of German immigration policy over the past decade.

The legal challenge has temporarily halted the BfV's plans to use informants or deploy video and audio surveillance against the AfD. The AfD, led by Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel, views the intelligence service's actions as an abuse of state power aimed at excluding the opposition.

Founded in 2013, the AfD initially focused on criticizing financial bailouts for eurozone members. The party gained significant political traction through its opposition to then-Chancellor Angela Merkel's 2015 decision to allow a large influx of asylum seekers into Germany. Although the AfD secured second place in the recent parliamentary elections, it has been excluded from Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government, which recently took office.

The BfV's actions have drawn scrutiny from the United States government. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the move as tyranny in disguise, arguing that the AfD's opposition to open border immigration policies is not extremist. Similarly, US Vice-President JD Vance likened the situation to the Cold War, suggesting that the German establishment is attempting to dismantle the AfD, which he sees as representative of East Germany.

In response to these criticisms, the German foreign ministry defended the BfV's decision as the result of a thorough and independent investigation aimed at protecting the constitution and the rule of law. The ministry emphasized that independent courts will have the final say and that Germany has learned from its history the importance of stopping right-wing extremism.