politics
February 19, 2026
German state blacklists right-wing party for first time
Authorities in the German state of Lower Saxony have designated the local chapter of the right-wing AfD party a surveillance priority
TL;DR
- Lower Saxony, Germany, has designated the local AfD party chapter a surveillance priority due to alleged extremist tendencies.
- Officials cited the party's contempt for state institutions and its view of people with migrant backgrounds as 'second-class citizens'.
- The regional AfD chapter was previously a 'clear case for surveillance' and has now been upgraded to an 'object of considerable importance for observation'.
- The AfD's national classification was previously upgraded to 'confirmed right-wing extremist' but was later suspended pending a court ruling.
- Other AfD branches in four German states are already deemed confirmed right-wing extremist entities.
- The AfD chairman denied the accusations, calling the designation politically motivated and vowing to challenge it in court.