German court upholds ban on AfD-linked student internship over far-right ties

A student’s bid for an AfD internship hits a legal wall. The court’s final decision exposes the tension between education and political extremism.

, and Administrator

2026 January 17 . 12:41 AM

1 min read

The image shows a political cartoon depicting a radical party on a heavy grade. It is a black and... — The image shows a political cartoon depicting a radical party on a heavy grade. It is a black and white image with a few people sitting in a vehicle, some of them holding guns, and a building in the background. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "The Radical Party on a Heavy Grade".

School does not have to approve internship with Brandenburg AfD MP - German court upholds ban on AfD-linked student internship over far-right ties

A Berlin-Brandenburg court has ruled against a student who sought an internship with an AfD politician. The decision confirms that schools may block placements linked to groups classified as far-right. The case involved a teaching internship with a Brandenburg member of the Bundestag from the Alternative for Germany party (AfD).

The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court upheld an earlier ruling by the Frankfurt (Oder) Administrative Court. It found that the school acted within its rights by rejecting the internship request. The placement was deemed unsuitable because Brandenburg’s constitutional protection office has classified the AfD’s regional branch as confirmed far-right.

The internship formed part of the student’s school-organised activities, replacing regular classes. Educators hold broad discretion in assessing such placements, and the court ruled they were not obliged to independently verify the constitutional watchdog’s assessment. The school’s decision was therefore lawful and did not overstep its authority. No further appeals are possible, as the ruling is final. The specific school involved has not been publicly identified in court documents or search results.

The court’s decision means schools in Brandenburg can refuse internships with AfD politicians if they conflict with constitutional values. The ruling reinforces the authority of educators to assess placements based on official classifications. The student’s request has now been permanently dismissed.