Germany-AfD Extremism Row Sparks U.S. Dispute

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has officially classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization, granting authorities expanded powers to surveil the party. The decision, citing the party's anti-migrant and ethnically exclusionary rhetoric, has sparked a diplomatic dispute with the United States, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Elon Musk publicly criticizing the move as undemocratic. Germany's foreign ministry defended the decision as a constitutional measure to protect democracy, emphasizing that any ban on the AfD would ultimately be determined by the courts. German politicians have warned against a hasty ban, noting legal proceedings could take years and cautioning about risks to political freedom. The situation has intensified both national and international debate over democratic boundaries and extremism. The controversy reflects broader European tensions over immigration and nationalism.