German Leaders Debate Banning AfD As Nationalist Party Rises In Popularity

A push to eliminate Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) from German politics is gaining momentum as the party continues to rise in the polls. On Thursday, lawmakers in the Bundestag debated whether to take legal action against AfD, a move that has fueled accusations of political suppression.

Lawmakers from multiple parties, including the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Die Linke, argue AfD poses a danger to Germany’s constitutional system. A total of 113 MPs have called for the constitutional court to determine whether the party’s policies violate democratic principles. However, constitutional scholars point out that a ban would require evidence of active efforts to dismantle democratic institutions, a standard AfD has not met.

AfD’s popularity has surged as voters grow frustrated with immigration policies and economic instability. The party has gained support for advocating stricter border control and opposing the ruling coalition’s handling of the energy crisis. Despite facing government surveillance, funding restrictions, and negative media coverage, AfD continues to gain momentum.

At the same time, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has drawn controversy for accepting AfD votes to pass an immigration resolution in parliament. While he insists his party does not collaborate with AfD, the move shattered a long-standing political norm. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other establishment politicians criticized Merz, warning that breaking the firewall against AfD weakens Germany’s democracy.

Protests erupted outside CDU headquarters in Berlin, where left-wing activists demanded action against both CDU and AfD. Some within the Green Party have gone further, urging a political blockade against CDU to prevent any future cooperation with nationalist lawmakers. Meanwhile, Merz defended his decision, stating that stronger immigration policies were necessary to protect public safety.

According to the latest polling, CDU leads at 29%, while AfD has climbed to 23%. The SPD has continued its downward slide, now sitting at 15%. As the political landscape shifts, the establishment appears determined to use every tool available to stop AfD’s ascent.