AfD Threatens German Democracy
False Assumption: The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is anti-democratic despite holding 24% of Bundestag seats and must be banned to protect democracy.
Written by FARAgent on February 10, 2026
German elections recently gave the anti-immigrant AfD 24% of seats in the Bundestag. Mainstream parties responded by forming a coalition of center-right CDU/CSU and left-center SPD, explicitly excluding AfD from power.
A strong movement now pushes to ban AfD outright. Other parties refuse coalitions with it, labeling it anti-democratic.
Critics question if the judiciary banning a quarter of elected parliamentarians saves democracy or undermines it. Growing debate surrounds these efforts, with mounting questions about excluding large voter-backed parties.
People Involved
- In Germany's political landscape, Friedrich Merz took charge of the center-right government. He enforced the view that the AfD could not join coalitions. Critics argue this stance propped up the assumption that the party threatened democracy, despite its electoral gains. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“is it possible for the German judiciary to overthrow the current government headed by center-right Friedrich Merz?”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
Organizations Involved
The Bundestag, Germany's elected parliament, included the AfD with 24 percent of the seats. Mainstream parties still shut it out from coalitions. The current coalition, made up of CDU/CSU and SPD, upheld this exclusion. Mounting evidence challenges whether such moves protect democracy or undermine it. The German judiciary came under pressure to ban the AfD outright, a step that could overturn elected representation. Growing questions surround the targeting of AfD, which acts as a major opposition party pushing anti-immigrant policies. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (4)
“The AfD has 24% of the seats in the Bundestag, but there is a strong movement to ban this large party outright for being “anti-democratic.””— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
“Currently, the German coalition is made up of the two right of center parties, the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, and the left of center Social Democratic Party because the biggest opposition party, the anti-immigrant Alternative für Deutschland, isn’t allowed into a ruling coalition by the other parties.”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
“What would happen if 24% of the elected parliamentarians in the Bundestag were banned by the judiciary in the name of saving democracy?”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
“the anti-immigrant Alternative für Deutschland”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
The Foundation
The assumption took root in labeling the AfD as anti-democratic, based mainly on its anti-immigrant positions. Critics argue this propped up the belief that opposing immigration inherently endangers democracy. Such views gained traction among experts and officials, though evidence for the threat remained thin. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“the biggest opposition party, the anti-immigrant Alternative für Deutschland, isn’t allowed into a ruling coalition by the other parties.”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
How It Spread
Mainstream parties spread the assumption by refusing coalitions with the AfD and pushing for its ban. This movement gathered force in political circles. Critics point out how these actions sidelined a party with significant voter support, raising doubts about the democratic process itself. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“there is a strong movement to ban this large party outright for being “anti-democratic.””— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
Resulting Policies
Germany's coalition policies kept the AfD out of government, even with its 24 percent of seats. This exclusion rested on claims of the party's anti-democratic nature. Growing questions surround whether these policies safeguard democracy or erode it by ignoring election results. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“isn’t allowed into a ruling coalition by the other parties.”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
Harm Caused
A judicial ban on the AfD would strip representation from its 24 percent of parliamentarians. Millions of voters would lose their voice. Critics argue this could undermine democratic principles, disenfranchising a large segment of the electorate. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“What would happen if 24% of the elected parliamentarians in the Bundestag were banned by the judiciary in the name of saving democracy?”— Is Democracy in Danger in Germany?
Sources
- [1]