Marco Rubio, Germany Clash Over Far-Right Party Ban/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Germany’s foreign ministry publicly rebuked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for condemning the classification of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as extremist. Rubio and U.S. Vice President JD Vance called the move undemocratic, sparking a transatlantic political spat. Germany insists the designation follows legal procedures to protect its constitutional order.
Germany-Rubio Clash Over AfD Quick Looks:
- Germany classified AfD as a “right-wing extremist” threat to democracy.
- Marco Rubio called the move “tyranny in disguise.”
- Germany’s foreign ministry responded: “This is democracy.”
- U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk backed Rubio.
- AfD finished second in February’s national election.
- Party leaders slammed the classification as political persecution.
- Surveillance powers granted include informants and recording devices.
- Legal review pending, but officials cite threats to human dignity.
- The controversy comes days before WWII anniversary and new chancellor vote.
Deep Look: Germany Pushes Back After Rubio Slams AfD Extremist Designation
BERLIN (AP) – Germany’s foreign ministry fired back at U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Friday after he accused the German government of undermining democracy by classifying the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist group.
Rubio’s remarks escalated into a high-profile transatlantic dispute, pulling in not only Germany’s foreign office but also U.S. Vice President JD Vance and tech mogul Elon Musk. The political row comes at a sensitive moment for Germany, just before the country marks the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender in World War II and prepares to elect Friedrich Merz as its new chancellor following a new coalition deal.
Germany’s Intelligence Justification
Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which monitors internal threats, officially classified AfD as extremist, citing threats to democratic principles and continued incitement against migrants and refugees.
“The party disregards human dignity,” the intelligence report stated, highlighting AfD’s anti-immigration rhetoric.
This classification empowers authorities to use expanded surveillance methods, such as informants, wiretaps, and video monitoring. German officials maintain the move is based on a thorough investigation, not political bias.
AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla decried the decision as a “severe blow to German democracy”, vowing to legally challenge it.
“We will continue to defend ourselves against these democracy-endangering defamations,” they said in a joint statement.
Rubio, Vance, and Musk Respond on X
Rubio expressed outrage in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying:
“Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy — it’s tyranny in disguise.”
He accused German authorities of silencing a popular opposition party, referencing AfD’s second-place finish in recent elections.
In a direct reply, Germany’s foreign ministry countered firmly:
“This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law.”
“We have learned from our history that right-wing extremism needs to be stopped.”
Vice President JD Vance invoked Cold War symbolism, suggesting that Germany was rebuilding the Berlin Wall — metaphorically — to isolate dissenting voices:
“It’s not the Soviets or Russians doing it, but the German establishment.”
Vance also claimed AfD is the most representative party of East Germany, referencing historical divisions in German politics.
Elon Musk, who owns X and is a vocal supporter of the AfD, reposted Vance’s remarks, adding:
“Fate loves irony.”
AfD’s U.S. Ties and Global Spotlight
The AfD, long controversial in Germany, has become a rallying point for right-wing figures globally. During the Munich Security Conference in February, Vance met with Alice Weidel, criticizing the so-called “firewall” that bars mainstream parties from working with the far right.
“Entrenched interests use Soviet-era terms like ‘misinformation’ to suppress dissent,” Vance told the audience.
Musk has also endorsed the AfD publicly. Earlier this year, he livestreamed a conversation with Weidel to an audience exceeding 200,000 viewers, in which he encouraged Germans to vote for the AfD.
Legal Path and Political Fallout
While Germany’s government insists that independent courts will ultimately decide the legality of the AfD’s classification, critics warn the move may galvanize the party’s base, feeding its narrative of political persecution.
The domestic intelligence ruling coincides with pivotal developments:
- A center-left and center-right coalition just finalized its agreement.
- Parliament is set to elect Friedrich Merz as chancellor next week.
- The nation prepares for the May 8 commemoration of WWII’s end, a date deeply linked to democratic values and Germany’s modern identity.
The foreign ministry has emphasized that any measures taken are rooted in a commitment to democratic institutions, not political suppression.
“Germany has learned from its past,” the ministry reiterated, “and must act when extremist threats arise.”
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