The AfD party in Lower Saxony has been officially classified as a confirmed extremist organization by the state’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Interior Minister Daniela Behrens stated this poses a clear danger to society, bringing the total number of German states where the party is designated as extremist to five.
A Growing Concern
According to the state’s assessment, a far-right extremist ideology now represents the consensus within the AfD party, both nationally and in Lower Saxony. The Ministry stated that the party’s character is defined by “constitutionally hostile statements and behaviors frequently presented in aggressive and confrontational language,” driven by a fundamental rejection of the free democratic basic order.
Lower Saxony joins Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia in classifying the AfD as a right-wing extremist group at the state level. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, the AfD was initially classified as an extremist organization, but this designation is currently suspended pending a court decision following a challenge by the party.
Federal Scrutiny
At the federal level, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution announced in May 2025 its intention to classify the entire AfD as a confirmed extremist organization. However, this classification was put on hold due to a legal challenge filed by the AfD, awaiting a court ruling.
The number of identified right-wing extremists within the AfD in Lower Saxony, including its former youth organization Junge Alternative, increased from 600 to 850 members in 2024. The AfD in Lower Saxony currently has around 8,000 members. A November 2024 poll conducted by Infratest dimap for NDR Niedersachsen indicated the AfD had gained support, reaching 20 percent, compared to 11 percent in the 2022 state election.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the latest classification of the AfD in Lower Saxony?
The classification stems from an assessment by the state’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which determined that the AfD in Lower Saxony represents a confirmed extremist organization due to its far-right extremist ideology.
In how many other German states is the AfD classified as extremist?
The AfD is currently classified as a confirmed extremist organization in four other German states: Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. It is also under similar scrutiny in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, though those classifications are currently suspended pending legal decisions.
What was the response from the AfD to this classification?
The AfD has consistently dismissed the classification as a suspected case as a baseless accusation.
As the AfD’s support appears to be growing in Lower Saxony, what impact might this designation have on the political landscape in the state moving forward?
