The German Foreign Ministry responded to the US Secretary of State's criticism of the recognition of the AFD as extremist

The German Foreign Ministry on Friday, May 2, expressed disagreement with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recognized the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization.

Rubio wrote about the threat to democracy in Germany due to the increased surveillance of the opposition. Germany, according to the US Secretary of State, should change its political course.

"This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough and independent investigation aimed at protecting our Constitution and the rule of law," the German Foreign Ministry said in response to Rubio's words in X (ex. Twitter).

The ministry added that Germany has learned from history that right-wing extremism must be stopped.

US Vice President Jay Dee Vance, following Secretary of State Rubio and billionaire Elon Musk, criticized Germany's decision. He called the AFD the "most popular party" in the country and announced the restoration of the Berlin Wall by the hands of the German establishment.

Earlier that day, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Germany classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist organization threatening democracy in the country. It is noted that this step reduces obstacles to monitoring a political party with the help of special services and allows for better monitoring of its activities.

At the same time, Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the decision to ban the AfD party should not be taken hastily. He noted that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Germany provided a detailed justification for recognizing the AFD as a right-wing extremist organization, but any subsequent steps "require caution and a balanced approach."