Germany’s domestic intelligence agency was on Friday waiting for judges to decide if they could go ahead with their plan to classify the far-right Alternative for Germany party as an extremist movement.
The intelligence agency – the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) – designated the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organisation last week, claiming it was attempting to undermine free, democratic order in Germany.
AfD supporters said the move was politically motivated, and party leaders filed a lawsuit against the label in Cologne.
In a statement, the party accused intelligence services of violating the constitution by trying to criminalise the AfD’s opinions and criticism of German immigration policy over the last decade.
“With our lawsuit, we are sending a clear signal against the abuse of state power to combat and exclude the opposition,” party co-leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel said.
Germany’s intelligence service moves against far-right AfD, sets off quarrel with US
Intelligence chiefs say they are targeting the party over its stance against refugees and migrants.
The pause while the judges adjudicate means the BfV agency cannot proceed with plans to use informants or deploy video and audio surveillance of the activities of the AfD.
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