Germany stands by its labeling of certain views as extreme, despite Senator Rubio’s criticism of supposed “tyranny hidden behind” such classifications.

The German Foreign Office has defended its decision to classify the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party as right-wing extremists, despite criticism from the White House. US Vice-President JD Vance accused “bureaucrats” of rebuilding the Berlin Wall, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the designation “tyranny in disguise.” The foreign office responded on X, stating that right-wing extremism must be addressed to learn from history. The intelligence agency responsible for the classification found AfD’s views on people based on ethnicity and descent to be against Germany’s free democratic order. The AfD, which came second in the federal elections, is now labeled a right-wing extremist party, enabling authorities to use surveillance tactics against it. The party leaders argue that the decision is politically motivated and undermines democracy. Beatrix von Storch, the party’s deputy parliamentary leader, described it as treatment fit for an authoritarian state. The new classification sparks debate over a potential ban on the AfD in the Bundestag. Lars Klingbeil, the SPD leader expected to be vice-chancellor and finance minister, stated that the government might consider banning the AfD for seeking to destroy democracy.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4vz9jed5lo