The Kremlin said on Monday that Germany's decision to classify the Alternative for Germany party as an "extremist" entity is a restrictive measure against European non-mainstream forces.

The reclassification — AfD was previously designated a “suspected” extremist group — is likely to reignite debate over a political ban on the party.

Almost half of the German citizens support the ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following its classification as a 'far-right extremist' group by the country's domestic intelligence agency.