AfD for the time being no longer classified as « secured right -wing extremist »

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BFV) is no longer referring to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party until a court decision about an urgent procedure.

The domestic intelligence agency gave a so -called standstill commitment in the legal dispute with the AfD. A spokeswoman for the responsible administrative court of Cologne confirmed the receipt of a corresponding letter from the authority.

The AfD has been the second largest political force in the German Parliament since the early parliamentary election in February. She had filed a lawsuit against the classification as a « secured right -wing extremist endeavor ». The Federal Office did not want to publicly comment on this matter « with a view to the ongoing procedure and respect for the court ».

Law even in the event of an earlier classification

It is not the first time that the protection of the constitution makes such a promise. He had done this in January 2021 after the AfD had sued as a « suspected case » against its classification at the time. The complaint at that time was unsuccessful for the party in two instances. The judgment of the Higher Administrative Court in Münster is not yet final.

The recovery commitment now given by the BFV not only refers to public statements, but also means that the protection of the constitution cannot observe the AfD until a judgment as a secured extremist endeavor. However, observation as a suspected case – here the hurdle for the use of intelligence agents – may continue.