The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Alice Weidel, said she feels reminded of “dark times” by the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) push for a possible ban on her party.

“So we have seen this: Adolf Hitler – oh, here comes the name – he was the first to ban other parties, restrict press freedom,” Weidel told journalists on Saturday on the sidelines of a retreat of the party’s parliamentary group in Berlin.

She added that the discussion to “seriously consider a ban application against the AfD” reminded her “of very dark times.”

The SPD decided at its party conference last weekend on a motion stating: “Now is the time for the constitutional bodies entitled to apply to create the conditions to immediately file an application to determine the unconstitutionality of the AfD.”

A party ban would have to be decided by the Constitutional Court upon application by the federal government or either house of parliament.

A procedure to ban the AfD has been discussed for a long time.

Supporters feel validated by a recent re-evaluation of the party by the domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which has upgraded the AfD to have “confirmed right-wing extremist tendencies.”

The party is legally contesting this classification, leading it to be suspended pending a ruling.

AfD lawmakers pass code of conduct

AfD lawmakers also passed a code of conduct on Saturday, with co-leader Tino Chrupalla seeking to improve the party’s image in preparation for a future term in office.

The document promises lawmakers will “endeavour to present a united and moderate front in parliament in order to ensure the group’s political ability to act and its credibility.”

In addition, there are “rules for the prevention of corruption” and for the “exclusion of conflicts of interest.”