SPD Pushes Forward on AfD Ban Effort

SPD Commits to AfD Ban Preparations

At its recent party convention in Berlin, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) took a decisive step by unanimously voting to initiate preparations for a potential ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The resolution includes the formation of a federal-state working group tasked with compiling evidence of the AfD’s alleged unconstitutionality. Should the findings prove substantial, the SPD aims to formally submit a ban request to the Federal Constitutional Court.

SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil framed the effort as a historic responsibility, urging delegates to use every legal instrument available to uphold democratic order. Citing lessons from Germany’s past, Klingbeil emphasized that the constitution explicitly provides tools for defending democracy from threats within the system. He accused rival parties, particularly the CDU, of hesitation and urged swift action should the domestic intelligence service label the AfD definitively as a right-wing extremist entity.

Legal Thresholds and Political Stakes

The threshold for banning a political party in Germany remains high. A successful petition requires evidence that the organization in question is actively working in an aggressive and militant manner to dismantle the democratic constitutional order. While the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has already classified the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist group, this alone does not fulfill the legal standards necessary for a court-imposed ban.

The SPD is nonetheless confident that the evidence will eventually meet these legal criteria. Party leaders argue that, in such a case, the state has a duty to act. At the same time, the SPD acknowledges that legal action alone cannot substitute for political engagement. Part of the working group’s mission includes devising a strategy to contest the AfD’s ideology on a substantive level and reclaim disillusioned voters.

Green Party Calls for Immediate Ministerial Action

The Green Party, while expressing cautious support for the SPD’s initiative, has voiced concern over the pace of implementation. Green parliamentary leaders Irene Mihalic and Konstantin von Notz criticized the SPD for delays and called for the immediate convening of a special conference of interior ministers to coordinate next steps. They emphasized that time had already been wasted and insisted that SPD-led state ministries should now collaborate with the CDU to gather necessary documentation without further delay.

The Greens also pressed for accountability from key figures in the government, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, urging them to clarify their positions and actively support the development of the ban procedure.

CDU Remains Deeply Divided

Within the CDU and CSU, opinions remain split. Chancellor Merz and most CDU leaders continue to oppose legal action against the AfD, favoring political countermeasures instead. They argue that banning the party could play into its narrative and potentially increase its appeal among protest voters, particularly in Eastern Germany where support for the AfD is strongest.

However, the CDU’s labor wing, the Christian-Democratic Workers’ Association (CDA), broke ranks with party leadership and endorsed the SPD’s move. CDA chairman Dennis Radtke stated that the AfD must be confronted with all available legal means and praised the initiative as a necessary response to the growing radicalization of right-wing politics.

Still, the broader Union bloc remains cautious. CDU parliamentarian Steffen Bilger dismissed the SPD’s resolution as premature, pointing out that the legal bar for banning a political party remains extremely high. Instead, he called for concrete policy solutions to the issues fueling voter frustration—a sentiment echoed by many within the conservative alliance.

Legal Process Still at an Early Stage

While the SPD’s resolution marks a significant political development, the legal process to ban a party in Germany is complex and lengthy. A successful petition can only be initiated by the federal government, the Bundestag, or the Bundesrat, and must be substantiated with concrete evidence of anti-constitutional activity.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution had reclassified the AfD in May as a confirmed right-wing extremist entity, but pending legal challenges from the AfD have delayed the formal enforcement of this status. Until the courts settle these disputes, further legal action remains in a holding pattern.

Meanwhile, the SPD’s new working group will begin compiling materials to support a potential legal case. Party leaders remain optimistic that the documentation will eventually justify initiating the procedure. In the interim, political maneuvering around the issue is expected to intensify, especially as national and regional elections draw nearer.

Coalition Strains Show No Sign of Easing

The SPD’s aggressive stance has placed further strain on the governing coalition, revealing deep ideological divisions over how to deal with the rise of the AfD. While the Greens demand immediate administrative coordination, and some factions within the CDU express cautious support, overall consensus remains elusive.

The SPD maintains that its actions are a matter of principle and democratic defense. However, opponents warn that the move risks turning the AfD into a political martyr if not carefully executed. The public reaction remains uncertain, and analysts caution that any misstep could bolster the AfD’s image among its base.

For now, the focus turns to whether the SPD’s working group can produce the kind of comprehensive, court-admissible evidence required to sustain a ban. The coming months will be critical in determining whether this unprecedented initiative gains the legal and political traction it needs—or ends as another symbolic gesture in an already polarized landscape.