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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is congratulated by CDU MP Hendrik Wust under the eyes of the co-leaders of the AfD party Tino Chrupalla (back L) and Alice Weidel (C) and honorary AfD chairman Alexander Gauland (R), in Berlin, dated May 6, 2025. Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images
The right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party—which came a close second in recent federal elections—is now locked in a legal battle with the state to avoid being branded an “extremist” right-wing movement.
The controversial label was imposed by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency on May 2, only to then be put on pause amid the transition to a new power-sharing government following a legal challenge.
