After state election, Brandenburg AfD demands end to intelligence-service monitoring

Brandenburg AfD leader René Springer says his party's strong result in Saxony-Anhalt should force the state government to end its domestic intelligence monitoring. He described the election outcome as “an unmistakable signal” to Brandenburg's governing coalition under Minister-President Dietmar Woidke.

“End the defamation and persecution of the AfD and its environment by the Interior Ministry's Department V, the domestic intelligence service,” Springer demanded. He said the result had given the party “massive tailwind” as it looks toward seeking power in Brandenburg at the 2029 state election.

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An unmistakable signal to the Brandenburg state government under Minister-President Dietmar Woidke

The AfD won Sunday's state election in Saxony-Anhalt by a wide margin but did not secure an absolute majority. Brandenburg's domestic intelligence service, like its counterpart in Saxony-Anhalt, classifies the AfD state branch as confirmed far-right extremist. The party is challenging that classification through legal means.

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End the defamation and persecution of the AfD and its environment by the Interior Ministry's Department V, the domestic intelligence service.

The election also triggered criticism within the CDU's youth organization in Brandenburg. Tim Brand, treasurer of the Brandenburg Young Union, called the result “more than a bitter warning signal” and demanded that Friedrich Merz resign as both chancellor and CDU leader. Brand accused Merz of falling short of the party's own standards in dealing with criticism.

Opposition to the AfD's success is also being organized in Potsdam. The SPD, Greens, Left Party, Potsdam's DGB labor federation, Omas gegen Rechts and Potsdam bekennt Farbe announced a demonstration for 6 p.m.

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More than a bitter warning signal

The Left Party said most people in Saxony-Anhalt had not voted for the AfD. It warned of fear surrounding a state government that could exclude people, discriminate against minorities and attack civil society directly.

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Our party needs a personnel and political fresh start.