German Court Blocks Intelligence Agency From Labeling Opposition Party Extremist

A German administrative court has temporarily prevented the country's intelligence service from officially classifying the Alternative for Germany party as a proven extremist organization. The ruling comes as the court reviews the opposition party's legal challenge to the intelligence agency's designation from last year.

BERLIN — A German administrative court ruled Thursday that the nation’s domestic intelligence service must halt its classification of the Alternative for Germany political party as a confirmed extremist organization while legal proceedings continue.

Germany’s BfV intelligence service made its original determination about the Alternative for Germany party, known as AfD, back in May. The agency declared the party posed a danger to Germany’s democratic institutions, stating it “disregards human dignity” through what officials called “ongoing agitation” targeting refugees and migrants.

The AfD quickly challenged the ruling in Cologne’s administrative court, where the intelligence agency maintains its headquarters. Following the legal challenge, the agency put its classification on hold, which would have permitted expanded surveillance of party operations, while awaiting the court’s decision.

Thursday’s court injunction prevents the BfV from officially categorizing and handling the AfD as a confirmed extremist organization until judges reach a final verdict on the party’s legal complaint. Court officials have not announced when they expect to issue their final ruling.

In its statement, the court acknowledged that based on current evidence, it believes there are sufficient indications of “efforts against the free democratic fundamental order” within the party’s ranks. However, judges determined these activities don’t define the organization to such an extent that “a fundamental anticonstitutional tendency can be established in its overall picture.”

The AfD secured second place in Germany’s national election one year ago and currently serves as the largest opposition party in the country’s parliament. Party leadership anticipates strong performance in upcoming state elections throughout this year.

The intelligence service’s original designation drew criticism from the U.S. administration last year, which prompted a sharp response from Germany’s Foreign Ministry.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel celebrated Thursday’s court decision in a social media post on X, calling it “a great victory not just for AfD, but also for democracy and the rule of law!”