
Germany’s political landscape is on the brink of significant change as efforts to ban the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gain momentum. CDU MP Marco Wanderwitz announced he has enough support to propose a motion to ban the AfD in the Bundestag, marking a pivotal moment for the controversial party.
Wanderwitz disclosed to taz newspaper that he has secured the backing of 37 MPs for the ban. He is currently waiting for the Münster Higher Administrative Court to release its written justification for classifying the AfD as a “suspected right-wing extremist” organization, a decision made in May. “Once the reasons for the ruling are available, we will take a close look at it and then submit our updated and well-founded application for a ban,” Wanderwitz explained. The court has five months to publish its report.
Should the Bundestag vote on the ban, Germany’s Constitutional Court would have the final say on its legality. This move could disrupt the political stability in Germany and prompt debates about democratic legitimacy.
Wanderwitz’s push for a ban comes after losing his seat to an AfD candidate in local elections. The AfD’s dominance in eastern Germany, where it leads in polls and is expected to win several regional elections, threatens the power of the governing parties, providing a strong incentive for them to support a ban.
In addition to the CDU, the Greens are actively seeking to ban the AfD. Green politician Marcel Emmerich called for a task force to collect evidence against the AfD, asserting, “The AfD is a security risk for people and democracy.”
The ruling parties’ open borders policies have been linked to a significant rise in violent crime, with foreigners committing 60% of such crimes in 2023. This includes a series of knife attacks by Afghan nationals, which the AfD cites as the true security threat.
Support for a ban is also growing among the red-red-green government in Bremen and SPD interior ministers, who plan to discuss the issue at a conference on Wednesday. As Germany grapples with these political tensions, the future of the AfD and its impact on national politics remain uncertain.