Germany, democracy, and the AfD dilemma: when defending freedom turns against itself
Massimo Cacciari, Italy’s former mayor of Venice and one of its most prominent philosophers, did not mince words. In a recent interview, he warned that outlawing Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) would be “suicide for the elites.” The party, which secured over 20% of the vote in the last federal election, now faces the possibility of being formally declared unconstitutional by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV).
Germany, democracy, and the AfD dilemma when defending freedom turns against itself
Cacciari’s concern is not ideological. It is structural. “If democracy can no longer defend itself with political credibility and the strength of its institutions, it dies,” he said. The state, he argues, should not replace politics with legal warfare, especially when dealing with movements supported by millions of voters. “You can’t outlaw people,” he recalled, paraphrasing the historical position of Italian communists like Togliatti.
On May 2, 2025, the BfV officially classified the AfD as a “verified right-wing extremist organization,” a move that opens the door to surveillance, funding bans, and even legal dissolution. The accusation: promoting an ethnically exclusive view of the German people and violating human dignity and democratic order.
But the decision is based on a 1,100-page internal report that remains classified. The public only has access to a brief summary. Even members of parliament are not allowed to review the full dossier. That opacity has fueled suspicions: is this about protecting democracy, or protecting the current power structure from a rising opponent?
Germany, democracy, and the AfD dilemma when defending freedom turns against itself
The AfD has rejected the accusations and announced legal action. Its support, especially in eastern Germany, remains strong. And with the CDU under Friedrich Merz now in power, Germany faces a critical crossroads: to isolate AfD or engage it—and by what means?
The official BfV statement is available here.
However, the full report is not public. Under Germany’s Informationsfreiheitsgesetz (Freedom of Information Act), individuals may formally request access by contacting the BfV, though national security concerns may prevent disclosure.
Cacciari’s warning reverberates: “A democracy that needs to gag its opposition to protect itself is already lost.” In times of crisis, defending democratic values requires more than repression—it demands transparency, legitimacy, and trust.