German parliament restricts AfD staff access amid security concerns

Thursday 15 January 2026 - 16:30

By: Sahili Aya

German parliament restricts AfD staff access amid security concerns

Germany’s federal parliament has denied building access to several staff members affiliated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), citing security-related concerns linked to extremist activities.

According to German media reports, the Bundestag administration refused to grant parliamentary access passes to seven AfD employees during the current legislative term. The decision prevents the individuals from entering parliamentary premises.

Among those affected are two staffers working directly for the AfD parliamentary group, as well as five employees attached to individual AfD lawmakers, a party spokesperson confirmed. The party has declined to disclose further information regarding the specific reasons behind the restrictions.

Reports from Der Spiegel indicate that the individuals came under scrutiny due to alleged links to right-wing extremist networks or suspected connections with Russian interests. Authorities have not publicly detailed the nature of these allegations.

The move follows a significant decision by Germany’s domestic intelligence service, which in May classified the AfD at the national level as a “proven extremist organization” after a three-year investigation. Previously, this designation applied only to certain regional branches of the party.

Intelligence officials argue that the AfD promotes a nationalist ideology that challenges Germany’s democratic constitutional framework. In particular, the party’s interpretation of citizenship, reportedly based on ethnic origin and ancestry, has been deemed incompatible with democratic values.

Despite heightened scrutiny and growing controversy, the AfD continues to gain public support. A recent YouGov poll shows the anti-immigration party at 25%, placing it on par with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance. Since the federal elections of February 2025, AfD support has risen sharply, while backing for the governing conservatives has declined.