Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution or BfV, has labeled the country’s prominent Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as “extremist.”

“The core of our evaluation is the ethnically and ancestrally defined concept of the people that defines the AfD, which undermines the dignity of entire segments of Germany’s populace,” the BfV stated in elaborating its decision. “This principle is evident in the party’s broad anti-migrant and anti-Muslim views.”

The AfD slammed the decision, calling it a “blow against democracy,” claiming it was “clearly politically motivated,” which the BfV denied.

The U.S. also criticized the designation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming it is “tyranny in disguise.”

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is set to have its leader confirmed as chancellor next week, following the recent election results in collaboration with the center-left Social Democrats.

Both Merz and the Social Democrats ruled out governing with the AfD. 

CDU, along with its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), won Germany’s elections in February after garnering 28.6% of the vote, according to Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW).