Berlin responds to US accusation of 'tyranny in disguise'
The German foreign ministry has dismissed remarks from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested that the characterization of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as extremist was akin to “tyranny in disguise.” On Friday, Rubio criticized...
TroibNews 
The German foreign ministry has dismissed remarks from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested that the characterization of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as extremist was akin to “tyranny in disguise.”
On Friday, Rubio criticized Germany’s domestic security agency for designating the AfD as a “confirmed extremist entity” and urged Berlin to reconsider this classification. In response, the foreign ministry emphasized that “this is democracy” and defended the classification as essential for upholding the rule of law.
Sebastian Fischer, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, addressed reporters on Monday, stating that “the insinuations contained are certainly unfounded,” as reported by AFP.
Rubio has asserted that the extremist label should not apply to the AfD, but rather to the “establishment’s deadly open border immigration policies” that the party opposes.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has previously indicated that the AfD poses a threat to Germany’s democratic order, citing its disregard for human dignity due to its anti-immigration stance. The AfD, in turn, has dismissed the classification as unlawful.
Founded in 2013 in response to Germany’s approach to the eurozone debt crisis, the AfD has shifted its emphasis toward advocating for stricter immigration and asylum policies while also opposing what it terms the “woke agenda.” The party has expressed skepticism regarding NATO and has protested against the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
In the federal elections held in February, the AfD secured second place, winning 152 of the 630 seats in the Bundestag. Recently, it topped opinion polls for the first time, garnering 26% support.
The BfV’s classification permits authorities to monitor the party without restrictions.
On Monday, the AfD initiated a lawsuit at an administrative court in Cologne, where the BfV is based, according to information from DPA news agency.
This legal challenge arises as Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz, whose party emerged victorious in the February elections, is poised to assume the position of Germany’s chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz. The conservative CDU/CSU union and the Social Democrats have finalized a coalition agreement, paving the way for a new government to be inaugurated on Tuesday.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
On Friday, Rubio criticized Germany’s domestic security agency for designating the AfD as a “confirmed extremist entity” and urged Berlin to reconsider this classification. In response, the foreign ministry emphasized that “this is democracy” and defended the classification as essential for upholding the rule of law.
Sebastian Fischer, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, addressed reporters on Monday, stating that “the insinuations contained are certainly unfounded,” as reported by AFP.
Rubio has asserted that the extremist label should not apply to the AfD, but rather to the “establishment’s deadly open border immigration policies” that the party opposes.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has previously indicated that the AfD poses a threat to Germany’s democratic order, citing its disregard for human dignity due to its anti-immigration stance. The AfD, in turn, has dismissed the classification as unlawful.
Founded in 2013 in response to Germany’s approach to the eurozone debt crisis, the AfD has shifted its emphasis toward advocating for stricter immigration and asylum policies while also opposing what it terms the “woke agenda.” The party has expressed skepticism regarding NATO and has protested against the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
In the federal elections held in February, the AfD secured second place, winning 152 of the 630 seats in the Bundestag. Recently, it topped opinion polls for the first time, garnering 26% support.
The BfV’s classification permits authorities to monitor the party without restrictions.
On Monday, the AfD initiated a lawsuit at an administrative court in Cologne, where the BfV is based, according to information from DPA news agency.
This legal challenge arises as Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz, whose party emerged victorious in the February elections, is poised to assume the position of Germany’s chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz. The conservative CDU/CSU union and the Social Democrats have finalized a coalition agreement, paving the way for a new government to be inaugurated on Tuesday.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
