• Germany's domestic intelligence agency has designated the far-right AfD party as an extremist group.
• Nearly 50% of Germans support a ban on the AfD following the designation.
• The AfD's co-leaders called the decision a "severe blow" to democracy and plan to contest it legally.
• Polls show growing concerns about right-wing extremism in Germany amid the AfD's rising popularity.
• The party has capitalized on anti-immigration sentiment and dissatisfaction with traditional parties.

Germany's domestic intelligence service has officially classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as an extremist group, allowing authorities to enhance monitoring and pursue potential legal actions against it. This designation follows a three-year investigation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), which concluded that the AfD undermines democratic principles and seeks to exclude certain groups, particularly those with migrant backgrounds from Muslim countries, from societal participation. The classification enables expanded surveillance of all AfD branches, granting law enforcement more power to take preventive actions against the party's activities, according to Le Monde, TRT World, and Anadolu Agency.

A recent poll revealed that nearly half of Germans support a ban on the AfD following its extremist classification, with 48% of respondents in favor and only 37% opposed. The survey suggests that the public has largely maintained a negative view of the AfD, with 61% labeling it a right-wing extremist party. Interestingly, 79% of those polled indicated that the BfV's decision had not altered their perception of the AfD, reflecting established sentiments about the party's controversial stance on immigration and diversity, according to TRT World and Anadolu Agency.

The AfD's co-leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, condemned the BfV's move as a “severe blow to German democracy," asserting that the party would legally challenge the designation. They expressed concerns over their portrayal as threats to democracy and emphasized their commitment to combating this characterization. The designation has intensified calls from various sectors in Germany for the party to be banned, a sentiment echoed by some political figures amid fears of rising right-wing extremism, according to Le Monde and TRT World.

Amidst the rising support for a potential ban on the AfD, outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged caution, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation before any legal attempts to ban the party, stressing the rigorous standards set by Germany's Constitutional Court for such actions. Previous attempts to ban far-right parties have faced significant legal hurdles, and Scholz is wary of the complexities involved in any ban proceeding, highlighting the necessity of adequate evidence and legal grounding, according to Le Monde, TRT World, and Anadolu Agency.