The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The Cologne Administrative Court confirmed the designation of the party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the youth organisation Young Alternative for Germany (JA) as an object under observation (suspicious case). Photograph:xC.xHardtx/xFuturexImage, KGS/IAK Berlin
Commenting in Berlin on the political development of the AfD and the statements by Thomas Haldenwang, the president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee said:
"The increases in survey results for the AfD are deeply disturbing and extremely alarming for survivors of the German concentration and extermination camps, not only as far as Germany is concerned, but also in the European context. It seems as if increasing numbers of people in Europe are suffering from memory loss and are strengthening those forces whose ideology and anti-Semitic hatred have already torn apart and destroyed Europe once before. Within this overall view of Europe, the AfD gains a special significance: it would be a fatal signal to Europe if a right-wing extremist party were to further increase its power and influence in Europe.
Gratitude and credit are due to the president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution for acting in his official capacity and informing the people in Germany about current dangers and threats to democracy. It is absolutely clear that the AfD has discarded its mainstream camouflage, and is now pursuing an unashamedly right-wing extremist and nationalist agenda, whilst using democracy to undermine its foundations."