• Nearly half of Germans support banning the AfD after it was labeled an extremist group.
• The AfD has filed a lawsuit against the BfV's classification, citing political motivations.
• Recent polls show the AfD's popularity rising to 25%, making it a leading political force in Germany.

Recent polling indicates that nearly half (48%) of Germans support banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following its designation as an “extremist” group by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV. The survey conducted by Insa polling for the German weekly Bild am Sonntag also found that 37% opposed a ban, while 15% remained undecided. Additionally, 61% consider the AfD to be “a right-wing extremist” party, with 79% stating that the BfV's assessment did not alter their existing views of the party, which has seen a popularity surge amidst anti-migration sentiments in the country, according to trtglobal and aa.

In response to its classification as a “proven extremist group,” the AfD has initiated legal action against the BfV, calling the designation a politically driven attempt to discredit and marginalize the party. The lawsuit, along with an emergency petition, was filed with the Administrative Court in Cologne just before the anticipated inauguration of the new conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The BfV's classification allows for heightened surveillance, including the recruitment of informants and interception of internal communications, according to reuters and lemonde.

The BfV's decision followed a comprehensive three-year investigation that concluded the AfD's agenda threatens Germany's democratic order. It cited the party's exclusionary stance towards certain demographic groups, including those from Muslim backgrounds. This designation fears amplifying scrutiny on a political organization that has gained significant traction, recently polling at around 25%, tying with Merz's CDU/CSU coalition. The increase in support mirrors a broader dissatisfaction with traditional parties, according to indiatimes and aljazeera.

Germany's political landscape remains strained as the new center-right government assesses the AfD's place in the political arena. Some politicians, including leaders from the CDU, are advocating for a reevaluation of the potential to ban the AfD amidst the rising tide of right-wing sentiment in the nation. The BfV's assertion adds a layer of complexity to ongoing discussions about how to address the party's influence within German politics, as highlighted by the ongoing debate initiated against the backdrop of their increased electoral success and opposition to mainstream political norms, according to aa and lemonde.