Klingbeil demands AfD ban: Protection of the Constitution should act!

Klingbeil demands AfD ban: Protection of the Constitution should act!

Cottbus, Deutschland - The pressure on the alternative for Germany (AfD) grows. Lars Klingbeil, the chairman of the SPD, recently asked for the possibility of a ban on the AfD in Cottbus at the SPD Brandenburg state party conference. Against the background of the classification of this party, this happened as a "secured right -wing extremist", which took place in May 2025. This not only treats the AfD as a suspected case, but is also criticized to undermine the democratic principles in Germany. Deutschlandfunk reports that Klingbeil emphasizes that he has to use all available means to protect the constitution.

He called for specific measures to act against the AfD. "If the protection of the constitution classifies the AfD as a secure right -wing extremist party, then we have to act," said Klingbeil, pointing out that the security policy situation should not be taken lightly. This position also became clear at a party congress of the Lower Saxony SPD in Wolfenbüttel, where he addressed the AfD's lawsuit against the classification as a secured right -wing extremist, which is currently being treated by the Cologne Administrative Court.

right -wing extremism in numbers

The problem of right -wing extremism in Germany accepts worrying proportions. According to the latest data of the Protection of the Constitution, there was an increase of almost 10,000 compared to the previous year at the end of 2024. Among them are 15,300 violent extremists, which again underlines the danger of these currents.

The number of right -wing extremist crimes rose by 47.4 % in 2024 to a total of 37,835. The 24,177 propagandadelics that make up about 63.9 % of the total criminal offenses are particularly alarming. Active acts, including physical injuries, show the degree of aggression that goes hand in hand with this ideology.

criticism from the CDU

But not all parties are behind a possible ban on the AfD. The CDU/CSU is skeptical about a procedural approach and advocates a discourse. The CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann expressed that he did not see a prohibition procedure and instead a political fight against the AfD is considered necessary. He and other party colleagues, including Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, support a strategic discussion about content.

The AfD itself remains politically playful and defends itself against the classification. An urgent application to the Cologne Administrative Court initially puts this evaluation on ice, while the party continues to be a suspected case. Tagesschau reports that state and federal politicians are reacting to developments and developing different strategies to combat right-wing extremism.

Overall, the combination of internal disputes and the increased pressure of the security authorities leads to the discussion about the AfD and its influence on German politics more intense. The coming months could be crucial whether Klingbeil's demands for a ban will become a reality or whether the AfD will continue to exist as part of the political landscape.