The rhetoric surrounding Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz, has escalated sharply following controversial remarks made by Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Steffen Bilger, the parliamentary managing director of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, condemned Weidel’s description of Verfassungsschutz officials as “slimy Stasi spies” during a recent television appearance, deeming the statement “inexcusable” and indicative of a deeper issue.
Bilger’s criticism centers on the damaging effect such pronouncements have on the intelligence agency’s ability to effectively safeguard the constitution. He emphasized the critical reliance of German policymakers on the work of the domestic and foreign intelligence services, stressing the need for their continued trust and political support. Undermining that trust through inflammatory language, Bilger argued, actively hinders the agency’s ability to perform its duties.
The core of the dispute, according to Bilger, lies in the AfD’s own relationship with the Verfassungsschutz. He suggested the party’s increasingly radical political positions have led to their becoming a subject of observation by the domestic intelligence agency. Rather than addressing the underlying reasons for this scrutiny, Bilger implied, Weidel engages in a tactic of personal attacks aimed at discrediting the agency itself. He urged her to introspectively examine her party’s policies, suggesting adjustments that might alleviate the concerns leading to the Verfassungsschutz’s attention, instead of resorting to disparaging remarks.
The exchange highlights a growing tension between the AfD and established political institutions, raising concerns about the party’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and respect for democratic processes. It also prompts a broader conversation about the necessary balance between political criticism and the vital function of protecting constitutional order.
