German parties clash over possible AfD ban

Bavarian premier Markus Söder ruled out any ban of the AfD, either whole‑party or partial, arguing that legal enforceability is doubtful and a ban would give the party a "martyr" status. He said, "If interior ministers advise restraint because the legal enforceability is hardly guaranteed… it is not politically wise to pursue this path now."

In contrast, Thuringian interior minister Georg Maier (SPD) supports a partial ban of the Thuringian AfD branch, stating, "I am convinced that an application for a partial ban of the Thuringian AfD has very high chances of success." The CDU in Thuringia, represented by parliamentary group leader Andreas Bühl, opposes the ban, warning that success is uncertain and that the move could backfire. Saxony’s interior minister Armin Schuster (CDU) added that a ban would require the consent of 15 Bundesrat states, making it constitutionally risky.

The debate has spread beyond Bavaria and Thuringia, with suggestions that a ban could be considered in Saxony‑Anhalt while Bayern maintains it will not file any application. Opinions range from legal scholars questioning constitutional feasibility to critics accusing the CDU of panic‑driven tactics.