Overview
- The Greens invited the parliamentary leaders of the Union, SPD and Left to discuss initiating a constitutional ban procedure against the AfD.
- Union parliamentary leader Jens Spahn declined the invitation, saying he wants consultations within the governing coalition first and criticizing the Greens for publicizing the initiative.
- SPD and Left leaders accepted the Greens’ invitation, but without the Union the groups do not command a Bundestag majority to submit a ban motion.
- Under German law, the Bundestag, Bundesrat or federal government can apply for a party ban, and the Constitutional Court requires proof of active efforts to undermine the democratic order.
- In May the domestic intelligence service announced it would classify the AfD as a ‘secured right‑wing extremist’ entity, but the AfD sued and the agency issued a stand‑down pledge that keeps the party listed as a suspect case pending court review.