In several Council of Europe member States, Antifa groups are responsible for attacking private homes of politicians and government representatives, using violence against election candidates, and aggressively disrupting election campaign events and information stands run by the opposition. These acts systematically intimidate political opponents and prevent citizens from forming an informed political opinion.
In Germany, militant tactics of Antifa groups are on the rise. On the night of 3 November 2025, Antifa set fire to the car of Dr. Bernd Baumann, a member of the German Bundestag. Other cars caught fire as well. A few hours later, Antifa claimed responsibility for the arson attack and wrote: “You MAGA freaks will follow Kirk to hell!”
On 3 January 2026, Berlin’s power grid was sabotaged, causing a widespread power outage affecting around 50 000 households. At least one woman died. The far-left Vulcano group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has declared his intention to designate the Antifa group as a “terrorist organisation”. The Parliament of the Netherlands stated in a parliamentary resolution: “Antifa cells are active [...], threatening politicians, disrupting meetings, intimidating students and journalists, and [...] using violence”. The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, wants to follow America’s lead, as Antifa has repeatedly assaulted and seriously injured peaceful people.
The Parliamentary Assembly should follow suit and call on member States to designate Antifa as a terrorist organisation and proscribe the use of their identifying marks and symbols. This would be in line with national legislation banning far-left groups operating under the name Antifa or which are connected to Antifa cells and systematically use, applaud, or verbally endorse political violence. The Assembly should also call on member States to prohibit all direct and indirect public or private funding of such groups.