The resolution was adopted almost unanimously at the National Social Democratic Assembly of the German organization (SPD) in Berlin. The German-cooperative group demands that Parliament and the government immediately begin preparations for the beginning of the procedure for the illegalisation of the alternate for Germany (AfD).
"With a organization that abuses democratic principles to combat democracy from within, fair competition is not possible," argued the SPD in a resolution adopted on Sunday (29.06.2025). "Every effort to incorporate them into democratic discourse will neglect at nothing," added.
"Now it is time for the authorised constitutional authorities to make conditions for the immediate submission of an application for the non-constitutionality of the AfD", the German social democrats call for. As added, a working group composed of representatives of the national authorities and the national states should collect appropriate material.
Under the radar of counterintelligence
The SPD cites the opinion of the German counterintelligence, the Constitution Protection Office, which late recognized the AfD as a right-wing extremist party. However, the enforceability of that decision was suspended as a consequence of AfD’s complaint against counterintelligence assessment.
– As shortly as the Constitution Protection Office confirms that it is simply a right-wing extremist party, there can no longer be maneuvering and considering arguments – the co-chaired SPD Lars Klingbeil assessed.
However, the German ruling coalition does not agree on the pursuit of the illegalisation of AfD, which is now the second largest force in the Bundestag and the largest opposition faction. The CDU/CSU Chadetia opposes this and puts the political fight against AfD. Especially in east Germany, where AfD has very advanced support, calls for the illegalisation of this right-wing populist organization are critically seen by both the CDU and part of the SPD.
According to critics, the initiation of specified a procedure could even strengthen AfD, and the result of the proceedings before the Constitutional Court would not be certain. This can be initiated by the government, Bundestag or Bundesrat. It is essential to prove that the organization is aggressively against the basic democratic order. The study by the Constitution Protection Office on AfD is not adequate evidence.
High legal obstacles
In the opinion of Steffen Bilger's leadership policy, the existing findings are not adequate to make a request for the prohibition of AfD activities. He recalled that a fewer days ago, the German national Administrative Court repealed the ban on issuing an utmost right-wing magazine “Compact”, which is associated with AfD. – at the latest after this judgement on the "Compact" magazine, it should become clear how advanced the legal obstacles to the ban are – Bilger, as quoted by DPA.
In turn, the Minister of Interior of Thuringia Georg Maier of SPD is convinced that the anti-constitutionality of AfD can be proven. If not us, then who? If not now, when? – said Maier at the SPD convention. In his opinion, the hazard arising from the deficiency of action is now higher than the hazard of losing in court.
The AfD resolution was the last crucial decision of the German social politician convention, which began on Friday. The organization chose fresh leadership on it. The co-president remained Lars Klingbeil, Minister of Finance in the government of the Chadetic Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but he received only 65% in the vote, which is simply a historically mediocre result.
The delegates first elected fresh organization leadership. He will lead the SPD together with the fresh co-chair of Baerbel Bas, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, erstwhile president of the Bundestag.
