https://digivn.dw.com/view/250502-09-0868

((SUGGESTED LEAD: Germany's domestic intelligence agency has designated the far-right AfD party as an extremist organization and threat to democracy. The Alternative for Germany finished second in February's national election - with almost 21 percent of the vote, making it the main opposition in the incoming parliament. The classification by the domestic intelligence agency now allows even closer surveillance of the AfD's activities.))

Lower thirds:

0:03  Report by / Jenni Graham
0:15  Nancy Faeser, German Interior Minister
1:26  Nancy Faeser, German Interior Minister

Script:

Right-wing extremist -- with a disregard for human dignity.

That's how the far-right AfD -- Germany's second largest political force -- is now officially classified in an 11-hundred-page report.

+++SOT Nancy Faeser, German Interior Minister+++
"The new assessment by the Domestic Intelligence Agency shows that we are a robust democracy and have legal instruments to protect our democracy against extremist threats. This includes observation and evaluation by the Domestic Intelligence Agency, as is the case here."

The AfD's leadership called the decision - quote - "complete nonsense" - claiming the party has been essentially criminalized just before the change of government. It's planning a court challenge.

The AfD came second in February's general election, and recent polls suggest it has even gained support since then - with several showing it as the strongest party in Germany.

The domestic intelligence agency said:
"The party's prevailing understanding of people based on ethnicity and descent is incompatible with the free democratic basic order."

The report said it saw evidence of ongoing agitation by the party against refugees and migrants, citing statements by far-right AfD politicians in internal communications, speeches and social media.

But what does this mean for the AfD going forward?

+++SOT Nancy Faeser, German Interior Minister+++
We should always separate these legal instruments from necessary political debate, you know that, as I have said time and again, a party ban procedure has very high constitutional hurdles for good reasons. That should not be ruled out, but it should continue to be handled very carefully. In any case, it's not something that is automatic."

Due to Germany's history, banning parties is extremely rare and any attempt to do so would be a highly controversial move.

But this new classification will no doubt intensify the debate over whether such a ban could be justified.