Ban on Germany's far-right AfD could backfire, top conservative warns

A top member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative party has expressed strong reservations about calls to ban the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), ahead of nationwide rallies in favour of the measure on Sunday.

Carsten Linnemann, general secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), described such a move as "politically highly dangerous."

In an interview with the Sunday edition of the Welt newspaper, Linnemann said that leading legal experts believe a ban "would be very difficult under the current circumstances and that the outcome would be uncertain."

The AfD, which is Germany's largest opposition party, was earlier this month designated a "confirmed right-wing extremist" group by the country's domestic intelligence agency, an upgrade from its previous classification as a "suspected" threat.

But the agency - formally known as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) - announced this week it was suspending its decision, saying it would not use the new label until an AfD challenge to the designation is settled in court.

The "confirmed" designation gives authorities greater powers to monitor the party.

The events have revived discussions about outlawing the AfD, known for its anti-immigrant and nationalist platform.

'You can't ban frustration'

Linnemann warned the legal fight would be lengthy and that the AfD would likely exploit the situation to present itself as a victim.

He argued that a ban would do nothing to address the concerns of the party’s voters.

He said if the new government revived the economy and cracked down harder on illegal migration, the AfD would be significantly weakened.

"You can't ban frustration; you can only resolve it through good politics," he said.

Nationwide rallies planned

His remarks come as civil society groups prepare a nationwide day of action on Sunday under the slogan "No More Excuses – Ban the AfD Now!"

Rallies are planned in more than 60 cities across Germany.

The alliance "Together Against the Right" has joined forces with the "Ban the AfD Now" campaign and other organizations to call on Merz's government, which came to power on Tuesday, to launch immediate legal action against the party.

The central rally in Berlin is set to begin at 4 pm (1400 GMT) at the Brandenburg Gate. Organizers are demanding that the government immediately initiate proceedings to ban the AfD.