A political storm erupted between Germany and the United States after Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV designated the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as “extremist”, sparking sharp criticism from top US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
Germany’s 1,100-page intelligence report cited AfD’s alleged racism and anti-Muslim rhetoric as grounds for its extremist label, claiming the party promotes ethnic nationalism that undermines Germany’s democratic principles and dehumanizes minorities.
Rubio reacted strongly, posting on X:
“Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy — it’s tyranny in disguise.”
He defended AfD as a voice of dissent against “deadly open border immigration policies” and urged Germany to reverse the decision.
The German Foreign Ministry hit back, stating:
“This is democracy. The decision followed an independent investigation to safeguard our Constitution. Courts will have the final say. We’ve learned from history — right-wing extremism must be stopped.”
Vice President JD Vance echoed Rubio, describing AfD as the “most popular” and “most representative” party of East Germany, accusing bureaucrats of trying to “destroy it.”
“The Berlin Wall has been rebuilt, not by the Soviets, but by the German establishment,” he added on X.
This diplomatic rift comes just months after AfD finished second in Germany’s February elections, raising global concern over the party’s rising influence despite past allegations — including Nazi-era slogan use by party leader Björn Höcke.
Germany’s BfV insists AfD seeks to marginalize citizens with Muslim backgrounds and incites fear through xenophobic and anti-minority rhetoric, justifying its surveillance powers under the country’s constitutional protections.
