Berlin Dismisses Rubio's Claim of 'tyranny in disguise'
The German Foreign Ministry is defending the recent decision by the domestic security service to designate the AfD party as “extremist,” asserting that this action is a reflection of democratic principles. Berlin has responded to US Secretary...
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The German Foreign Ministry is defending the recent decision by the domestic security service to designate the AfD party as “extremist,” asserting that this action is a reflection of democratic principles.
Berlin has responded to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's comments, in which he labeled Germany as “tyranny in disguise” following the official designation of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In a post on X on Friday, the Foreign Ministry stated, “This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law.”
Rubio had previously posted on the platform, claiming that “Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny in disguise.” He urged Berlin to “reverse course,” contending that it is not the AfD that is extremist, but rather the established government's “deadly open border immigration policies,” which the party actively opposes.
In a similar vein, US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed on X that the “German establishment” has metaphorically rebuilt the Berlin Wall, a historical symbol of the division between East and West Germany during the Cold War. Vance argued that the “AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany,” a claim supported by recent electoral outcomes in economically challenged areas of former East Germany.
During this year's Munich Security Conference, Vance criticized politicians who exclude parties like the AfD, known for its stringent anti-immigration policies.
On Friday, the German domestic security service publicly announced it has classified the AfD as a “confirmed extremist entity,” which grants authorities the unrestricted ability to monitor the party's activities. The agency cited the "extremist nature of the entire party, which disregards human dignity," as well as the AfD’s viewpoint that categorizes people based on ethnicity and descent, a perspective deemed “incompatible with the democratic basic order.”
The AfD had finished second in the snap election held in February, trailing the center-right Christian Democrats, who, along with other major parties, have ruled out any coalitions with the AfD. Recent polls indicate a close race, with one survey from the Forsa Institute revealing the AfD leading the Christian Democrats by one percentage point.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Berlin has responded to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's comments, in which he labeled Germany as “tyranny in disguise” following the official designation of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In a post on X on Friday, the Foreign Ministry stated, “This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law.”
Rubio had previously posted on the platform, claiming that “Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny in disguise.” He urged Berlin to “reverse course,” contending that it is not the AfD that is extremist, but rather the established government's “deadly open border immigration policies,” which the party actively opposes.
In a similar vein, US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed on X that the “German establishment” has metaphorically rebuilt the Berlin Wall, a historical symbol of the division between East and West Germany during the Cold War. Vance argued that the “AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany,” a claim supported by recent electoral outcomes in economically challenged areas of former East Germany.
During this year's Munich Security Conference, Vance criticized politicians who exclude parties like the AfD, known for its stringent anti-immigration policies.
On Friday, the German domestic security service publicly announced it has classified the AfD as a “confirmed extremist entity,” which grants authorities the unrestricted ability to monitor the party's activities. The agency cited the "extremist nature of the entire party, which disregards human dignity," as well as the AfD’s viewpoint that categorizes people based on ethnicity and descent, a perspective deemed “incompatible with the democratic basic order.”
The AfD had finished second in the snap election held in February, trailing the center-right Christian Democrats, who, along with other major parties, have ruled out any coalitions with the AfD. Recent polls indicate a close race, with one survey from the Forsa Institute revealing the AfD leading the Christian Democrats by one percentage point.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
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