Germany’s domestic intelligence agency retracts extremist label for far-right party

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, will no longer publicly label the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a proven right-wing extremist group until a court decision on an expedited procedure is made, DPA news agency reported.

The BfV issued a so-called "standstill pledge" in the legal dispute with the AfD.

A court spokeswoman confirmed on Thursday the receipt of a corresponding letter from the secret service.

The BfV declined to comment publicly on this matter "in view of the ongoing proceedings and out of respect for the court."

Reacting to the Cologne court decision, AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla said this was “an important first step toward actually exonerating us and thus countering the accusation of right-wing extremism."

On Monday, the AfD filed a lawsuit against the BfV, after it designated the party as a “proven extremist group.”​​​​​​​

Earlier, the intelligence agency classified the far-right party as a “proven extremist group” following a three-year investigation. The investigation determined that the AfD promotes a far-right nationalist and extremist agenda threatening Germany's democratic constitutional order.

The agency emphasized that the AfD's view of people “based on ethnicity and ancestry” conflicts with Germany's democratic principles. It said the AfD attempts to exclude certain population groups, especially those with Muslim migration backgrounds, from equal participation in society.

The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance, was first placed under preliminary observation in 2019. German courts later upheld their 2021 classification as a “suspected extremist group."