President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has raised questions about how global institutions assess democracy, following Germany’s controversial move to expand surveillance powers over the opposition party AfD.
Commenting on social media, Bukele asked: “When will all these rankings and colored maps finally stop calling Germany a full democracy?” His remark came after German authorities officially classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist organization, a decision that allows increased intelligence monitoring of the party.
Earlier today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Germany’s decision. He stated on social media: “Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny in disguise.” Rubio’s comments reflect the growing international debate over how democracy is defined and defended.
German officials defended the measure, stating it was based on “a thorough & independent investigation” and reaffirming their commitment to the rule of law. However, Bukele’s reaction reflects a broader concern often voiced by leaders in the Global South—that democracy rankings and international evaluations may apply inconsistent standards depending on the country in question.
In El Salvador, where Bukele has frequently clashed with foreign critics over his security and governance policies, the comment underscores his ongoing challenge to the way democratic legitimacy is defined and measured by external actors.