The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, is not, for now, allowed to label the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a confirmed right-wing extremist party. The Administrative Court of Cologne ruled on Thursday that the agency must refrain from the designation while the main proceedings continue. The order follows an application by the AfD for interim legal protection.
The decision comes at a sensitive political moment, with five state elections due later this year in which the AfD is expected to perform strongly, ensuring that the ruling will have consequences beyond the courtroom.
The judgment addresses the BfV’s move last year to classify the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist organisation, a step that would have allowed the agency to intensify surveillance of Germany’s largest opposition party. In summary proceedings, the court said it could not yet be established that the party as a whole is dominated by extremist aims. It is unclear when a final judgment will be delivered.
The classification triggered sharp political reactions in Germany. Some MPs called for a ban on the AfD, led by co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, while the party described the move as an attack on democracy.
Criticism also came from the administration of US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the German authorities to reconsider the designation.
(reuters, max)