SPD is planning AfD ban: Danger for democracy or weakness?

SPD is planning AfD ban: Danger for democracy or weakness?

The political landscape in Germany is currently all about a explosive topic: the possible attempt to ban the alternative for Germany (AfD). This debate came to the fore when the SPD passed an initiative application at its party conference in Berlin at the end of June, which calls for the examination of a ban on the AfD. Az Online reports that the goal is to ultimately decide on the Federal Constitutional Court on the unconstitutionality of the AfD leave.

The Social Democrats see the AfD as a danger to democracy because, according to criticism, it is abusing democratic rules. Jan Henner Putzier, the SPD member of the state parliament from Uelzen, supports this advance and calls for the formation of a federal-state working group to collect documents for a possible ban on the AfD. On the other hand, Christian Dörhöfer, the AfD district chairman in Uelzen, comments critically. He sees a sign of weakness in the SPD project and emphasizes that the AfD supports the free-democratic basic order. This underlines the deep trenches that exist in the political debate.

difficult hurdles for a ban

At the party congress of the SPD, it was decided that a federal-state working group will be set up to collect material with which the AfD's unconstitutionality can be justified. If the material is considered sufficient, the SPD could submit a ban on the Federal Constitutional Court. SPD boss Lars Klingbeil sees this as a "historical task", while the importance of the evaluations of the constitutional protection is also emphasized, as Tagesschau

Nevertheless, the legal hurdles are high. Lawyers point out that it must be proven for a successful procedure that the AfD is aggressive against the basic democratic order. An expert opinion on the protection of the constitution alone is not sufficient as sufficient evidence, as Deutschlandfunk . In addition, an earlier attempt to check a ban on the AfD failed in February 2025 because it was missing from a majority.

The AfD in focus

The discussion about a ban continues against the background that the AfD was classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as "secured right -wing extremist". This makes a classification as a normal party almost impossible. Experts and politicians agree that the AfD can no longer be treated like a conventional political force, which is due to the increasing number of its members and the growth of political offices that it strives for at different levels.

While some politicians and parts of the SPD are unambiguous for a ban procedure, there are skepticism within the CDU and in some SPD circles, especially in East Germany. Critics warn that a ban on the AfD could possibly strengthen the position of the party instead of weakening it. This could lead to part of the population further alienated from democracy.

The continuation of this debate will not only become relevant in Berlin, but also in the municipalities such as Uelzen, since more and more voices are being loud, which are pronounced for and against a ban on the AfD. The political argument promises to be exciting and shows how profound the topic plays into the social and political structure.