AfD may face ban after legal report; politicians push court review as police prep for protests at Erfurt congress

A 1,500‑page legal report prepared by the Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte concludes that the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) violates the German constitution’s democracy principle and human‑dignity guarantee, giving a high chance of success for a party‑ban request before the Federal Constitutional Court. The report cites repeated extremist statements by AfD leaders and a lack of internal opposition to radical elements.

Following the publication, members of the CDU, SPD, Greens and the Left have publicly called on the Bundestag, Bundesrat or federal government to file a ban request under Article 21. Parliamentary leaders argue the evidence obliges a judicial review to protect the democratic order.

Security authorities in Thuringia anticipate massive opposition to the AfD’s federal party congress in Erfurt on 4‑5 July. Police forecasts range from 35 000 to over 50 000 demonstrators, including up to 5 000 identified as potentially violent left‑extremists and 2 500 classified as “red” threats. Preparations involve a large federal police deployment, contingency plans for blockades on access routes, and monitoring of extremist calls on platforms such as Indymedia.

Legal scholars note that while demonstrations against a party congress are protected, organized blockades would be illegal. The debate continues over how best to balance the right to protest with the need to ensure the congress can proceed safely.