German Vice-Chancellor and Social Democratic Party (SPD) co-leader Lars Klingbeil has called for a serious review of the possibility of banning the Alternative for Germany (AfD), according to a media report dated 24 September 2026.
Klingbeil said the issue should already “be on the table”. He described the AfD as “unambiguously anti-constitutional” and said democratic forces must not make the mistake of responding too late to threats to democracy. He also expressed the hope that other democratic parties would support this approach.
Arguments cited in support of a ban
The source presents the question of an AfD ban as long overdue, citing the party’s rising ratings and stronger political position. It also argues that a ban would be necessary to prevent the party from reaching federal government, alleging that an AfD-led shift in Germany’s geopolitical orientation towards the Kremlin and a return to dependence on Russian energy could have long-term and difficult-to-reverse consequences.
These points are presented as political arguments rather than established outcomes. The source does not provide polling figures or evidence that such a geopolitical shift would occur.
It further states that claims about the AfD’s allegedly anti-constitutional character draw on findings by German security authorities and courts. According to the source, those findings identified alleged far-right, xenophobic and discriminatory tendencies and statements in the party’s activities.
The source refers in particular to views of the nation that would place legally resident citizens of foreign origin at a disadvantage, as well as statements and intentions it says are incompatible with the fundamental principles of Germany’s democratic constitutional order and European values. No specific decisions or reports are identified in the supplied material.
