German state vs. the far-right AfD: An unending duel The domestic intelligence service has been examining how dangerous the Alternative for Germany is since 2019. Now the nationalist party will be placed under observation. Is the AfD a threat to Germany's democratic order? On Wednesday, it emerged that the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) would be put under observationby the domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, a designation giving state agents more powers for surveillance in certain circumstances, including potentially tapping the party's communications. AfD representatives were outraged, claiming that this was an attempt to harm the party ahead of the general election later this year.