Germany’s domestic spy agency, BfV, recently called the far-right AfD party an extremist group. This move came after AfD secured second place in the country’s federal elections held in February.

According to BfV, it relied on a 1,100-page expert report to reach its decision. The report described AfD as a racist and anti-Muslim organisation.

BfV stated, “Central to our assessment is the ethnically and ancestrally defined concept of the people that shapes the AfD, which devalues entire segments of the population in Germany and violates their human dignity.”

Rubio Slams Germany’s Move

Soon after the announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced his disapproval. On Friday, he posted on X criticising Germany’s action.

He said, “Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That's not democracy -- it's tyranny in disguise.”

Moreover, Rubio defended AfD, saying the real threat came from the current immigration policies. “The establishment's deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes,” he said.

He further demanded that, “Germany should reverse course.”

German Government Responds

In response, Germany’s Foreign Office stood firm on its decision. They replied to Rubio’s post on X.

They stated, “This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough and independent investigation to protect our Constitution and the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped.”

JD Vance Joins Rubio’s Criticism

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance echoed Rubio’s views. He also showed support for AfD.

In his X post, Vance wrote, “The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it.”

He went on to say, “The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt -- not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment.”

BfV Explains the Extremist Label

On the other hand, BfV explained why it gave AfD the extremist tag. The agency accused the party of promoting exclusion.

It claimed, “It aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society, subject them to unconstitutional discrimination, and thus assign them a legally devalued status.”

Additionally, BfV said that AfD did not see German citizens with Muslim backgrounds as equals. The agency also accused the party of spreading hate.

BfV said, “This is evident in the numerous xenophobic, anti-minority, anti-Islamic, and anti-Muslim statements continually made by leading party officials.”

AfD’s Past Controversies

Previously, AfD also drew criticism. In 2021, party leader Björn Höcke was accused of using banned Nazi slogans at two public rallies.