The verdict against the AfD should not instill any confidence.
The Higher Administrative Court in Münster has decided that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is right to suspect the AfD of being a right-wing extremist party. Soon, they will officially label the AfD as a "suspected" case. While this may seem like a win for democracy, it's not enough to deter the AfD's support or radicalization.
The AfD has embraced the label of "right-wing extremist," spinning it as a sign of their rebellion against the establishment. Party members view the attention from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as simply another form of politically-motivated persecution. They see it as further proof of their anti-establishment stance and rally behind their chairwoman, Alice Weidel.
Despite this classification, the AfD has continued to self-radicalize. Björn Höcke, the Thuringian state chairman, is no longer a fringe figure, and there's little opposition to this internal trend within the party. In Brandenburg, they are running right-wing extremist Hans-Christoph Berndt as their top candidate in the state elections. Members of the New Right, who have ties to extremist front organizations, are actively involved in the party. The nomination of Maximilian Krah as the top candidate for the European elections also fits with this trend.
Though many in the AfD may not hold extremist beliefs, they remain undeterred by reports of their fellow party members' true intentions. It's likely that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution will soon classify the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist movement." This would allow them to conduct even more extensive surveillance, potentially strengthening the case for a ban procedure. However, the government hasn't yet shown any signs of initiating a ban application.
Despite the AfD's exposure as a potentially corrupt outfit with links to Russia and China, their approval rating has merely dipped from 23% to 15%. This decline may serve as a reminder to supporters of liberal democracy that they should take matters into their own hands. The greatest impact against the AfD comes not from legal actions or verdicts, but from the broad public rejection by society. So far, the only successful resistance has come from nationwide demonstrations, which have significantly decreased the party's popularity.
While the ruling from Münster represents progress in terms of defensive democracy, it shouldn't be taken as a definitive solution. The AfD's anti-constitutional goals haven't yet led to them changing course. The party's opponents have been hesitant to pursue a ban procedure due to legal concerns and fear of the potential impact on the public debate. The real test for defending liberal democracy will come when the government can no longer ignore the party's growing influence and dangerous ideology.
Therefore, we must not become complacent. We must not rely on the state to protect democracy. Instead, we need to actively participate in shaping our society, denounce the AfD's extremist ideas, and create a clear public rejection of their subversive ideology. Only through our own actions and resistance can we effectively combat the threats posed by the AfD and uphold the values of democratic society.
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The labeling of the AfD as a "suspected" right-wing extremist party by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution may strengthen their perceived victimhood and rally support, potentially contradicting the intended purposes of justice and democracy. However, this protection of the constitution is crucial to safeguard against the AfD's anti-constitutional goals and promote the upholding of democratic values.
Source: www.ntv.de
