EU Launches Procedure to Ban AfD-Linked Party

The party's approved funding for 2026 amounts to approximately two million euros, which could be withdrawn if the party is found guilty of violating EU values.

The EU Parliament, the Council, and the Commission have two months to declare their intention to request the supervisory authority to initiate a formal review procedure.

The ESN party has not commented on the matter, while the AfD has criticized the EU's decision, saying it is an attempt to silence opposition.

Consequences

The procedure is a first for the EU, which has never before banned a political party.

The EU's fundamental values include human dignity, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, which must be respected by all European parties.

The Authority has declined to comment on details of the procedure, but said that the submitted indications raise doubts about the organization's compliance with EU values.

The transmission of information does not yet constitute a decision and says nothing about the outcome of a possible formal review procedure.

EU Values

Compliance with EU fundamental values is a prerequisite for organizations to be registered as a European party and to receive funds.

European parties must ensure that their member parties or organizations also respect the core values.