Saxony-Anhalt AfD considers abolishing domestic intelligence agency

Ulrich Siegmund, the top candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt, has indicated that abolishing the state's domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz, is a possibility if the AfD wins the upcoming state election.

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He monitors the opposition, he is used as a political instrument.

Siegmund revealed in a podcast that opinions within the AfD vary on the agency's fate. Some members advocate for its complete dissolution, while others prefer to retain it and restrict it to its core duties. "I am completely open-ended on this, we will take a look at it in Saxony-Anhalt," Siegmund said, acknowledging that both options have advantages and disadvantages.

However, Siegmund stressed that there is consensus within the AfD that the agency should not be used to monitor the opposition or "stir up trouble, because that is what we have currently." He asserted that the agency's current task has become "completely absurd," accusing it of monitoring the opposition and being employed as a political instrument. The Interior Ministry in Magdeburg has consistently refuted these claims, maintaining that the Verfassungsschutz operates according to law and justice.

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I am completely open-ended on this, we will take a look at it in Saxony-Anhalt.

The Verfassungsschutz classified the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as reliably right-wing extremist in November 2023, citing "numerous anti-Muslim, racist, and also antisemitic statements by officials and officeholders." The AfD is currently challenging this classification in court, though the proceedings have been temporarily suspended, possibly pending a federal-level decision.

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The task of this Verfassungsschutz has become completely absurd. He monitors the opposition, he is used as a political instrument.