A Government Investigation and a Political Party

Chapter 1 sets the stage for the enduring conflict between the AfD and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, or BfV – the government department tasked with labeling and monitoring extremism. After providing a brief history of the party, the chapter describes the demonstrations that occurred in eastern Germany after the death of a Black German man. It situates the government’s investigation of AfD members’ alleged extremist endeavors as part of the aftermath. Then this chapter examines AfD critiques of government politicization and overreach. Finally, the chapter concludes by contextualizing AfD stances within broader debates in the past several decades.