Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution or BfV, on Friday classified the country’s popular Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as “extremist.”

“Central to our assessment is the ethnically and ancestrally defined concept of the people that shapes the AfD, which devalues entire segments of the population in Germany and violates their human dignity,” the BfV said, explaining its decision. “This concept is reflected in the party’s overall anti-migrant and anti-Muslim stance.” 

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.”

Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will be confirmed as chancellor next week following the elections in a coalition government 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).