Right-wing extremists linked to AfD exist in Thuringia too.
The group "Young Alternative Thuringia" holds "biologistic beliefs on who does and doesn't qualify as German," according to Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution. This is one of several reasons why the AfD offshoot in the state is now classified as right-wing extremist.
Thuringia's "Young Alternative" (JA) has been labeled extremist by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The government's Interior Ministry in Erfurt confirmed the decision, citing JA Thuringen's affiliation with the Thuringian AfD, which has been officially recognized as a right-wing extremist group since 2021.
Thuringia's AfD is led by Björn Höcke. Since 2023, The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has deemed the JA as a right-wing extremist organization nationwide. Associations of the JA in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt have also been classified as extremist.
The JA's membership in Thuringia's Office for the Protection of the Constitution is justified by "creating an ethnically homogeneous German nation and a German community of descent"—contrary to Germany's constitution. The JA believes "biologistic assumptions determine who can and cannot be German," dehumanizing those it deems not German as "criminals."
Political Tension Escalates
The classification comes days before regional elections in Thuringia. The AfD earned 10.2% of the votes there in 2018, but has since grown in strength. In 2019's state elections, it became the second most significant party with over 23%. Surveys estimate the party could receive up to 30% in the next election.
The AfD made headlines before the upcoming local elections. Last week, a court in Saxony-Anhalt convicted Höcke, head of the AfD state and parliamentary group, for using a forbidden Nazi slogan. The sentence has not yet come into effect.
Internal conflicts within the AfD over two separate lists of candidates for the district elections in Saalfeld-Rudolstadt further fueled the tension. In this dispute, the AfD attempted to hold a second election, claiming not enough individuals were picked initially. However, the state parliament member Frosch challenged this in court, and the original election list was upheld.
The state's AfD and Höcke are now backing the "Alternative for the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District" (AfL). Reports claim the state leadership has initiated expulsions against nine party members involved in the dispute. The situation has escalated even further, with JA candidates voicing criticism of Höcke and demanding his resignation.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
Governments and parties across Germany have been monitoring the radical activities of the AfD, with Thuringia's branch being classified as right-wing extremist due to its association with groups like the "Young Alternative" Thuringia, which hold biologistic beliefs on German identity.
Despite the label as extremist, the support for the Thuringia AfD has been growing, potentially reaching 30% in the upcoming regional elections, causing political tension within and outside the party.
Source: www.ntv.de
