Overview
- The Bavarian domestic intelligence office confirmed on Thursday that it has begun observing AfD deputy faction leader Benjamin Nolte, making him the third AfD Landtag member under surveillance.
- Authorities say the measure rests on a suspicion that Nolte misuses his mandate to fight the constitutional democratic order and that he supports the Identitarian Movement’s 'Remigration' concept which courts have judged contrary to human dignity.
- The interior ministry cites Nolte’s prominent party roles and repeated public statements that question democracy and the rule of law, while reporting also notes his past ties to the Junge Alternative and Burschenschaft Danubia and a previously reported racist 'banana' incident; Nolte has called the decision 'ridiculous.'
- The step follows a June court confirmation of surveillance powers for AfD structures and the LfV says it completed a comprehensive proportionality review before adding an individual lawmaker to monitoring.
- Greens welcomed the measure and urged further action including renewed study of an AfD ban, the ministry says a fourth AfD MP is under review, and the decision is likely to deepen the legal and political clash over how to police extremist activity inside elected parties.