The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) supports a second vote in parliament for chancellor taking place on Wednesday, the party co-leader said after conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to win the majority needed.

The designation is certain to inflame debates over whether the party should be banned, though some polls show it to be the most popular in the country.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency formally classified the Alternative for Germany as a right-wing extremist movement, meaning authorities will have enhanced powers to monitor the party as a potential threat to democracy.