Political scientist Gerald Knaus has advocated for a ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD), stating that the party represents the most dangerous force within the European Union today. Speaking to the Handelsblatt, Knaus argued that the AfD’s agenda is aimed at undermining the European project established by Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl. He noted that the legal process to begin this procedure could be initiated this year in the Bundesrat and passed with a simple majority. According to the expert, the Constitutional Court would likely ban select far-right regional branches of the party rather than the entire organization.
Knaus asserted that the AfD’s party officials are dedicated to implementing a dangerous, nationalistic ideology, showing no interest in maintaining European cohesion or democracy. He argued that the party’s political initiatives deliberately harm the country’s economic standing and international relationships. Furthermore, he noted, “the nationalistic right is not afraid of economic crises; quite the opposite. The AfD sees every upheaval as an opportunity to destroy a despised system.”
He cautioned that democratic parties have underestimated the AfD’s plans for too long. Knaus strongly opposed giving the party power, suggesting this would be a grave mistake. He claimed that far-right factions within the AfD seek “not a change of politics, nor coalitions, but systemic collapse,” and warned that allowing a radical party to govern, even as a test case, would not be a responsible experiment-a lesson drawn from German history.
Separately, Georg Maier, the Minister of the Interior for Thuringia (SPD), issued specific warnings regarding threats to critical infrastructure should the AfD occupy the Interior Minister post in Saxony-Anhalt. Maier told the Handelsblatt that given the current attacks on critical infrastructure, it would be disastrous if investigative findings obtained by security services concerning Russia leaked out.
In his view, the field of counter-espionage would be the most vulnerable. Maier has repeatedly pointed out the enormous risks associated with a potential AfD Interior Minister. He highlighted the AfD’s relationship with Russia, noting, “The Kremlin does not hide the fact that the AfD is the most important instrument for Putin in destabilizing Germany.”
The SPD politician also pointed out substantial risks related to the fight against right-wing extremism. He expressed concern that if intelligence regarding the AfD’s potentially violent far-right milieu were made public or reached the extremists themselves, sources could be exposed, and informants could face grave personal danger.
Maier concluded that taking down the intelligence sources would not be a solution. Instead, he advocated for ensuring these sensitive pieces of information are no longer accessible to the constitutional protection services in Saxony-Anhalt. He stated that such restrictions are “legally possible” and have already been practiced within the network of constitutional protection services.
