German spy agency pauses 'extremist' classification for AfD party, local court saysTopic:World Politics1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:14pmA decision on the permanent classification is pending litigation. (Reuters: Thomas Peter)In short:Germany's domestic spy agency will temporarily refrain from classifying the Alternative for Germany party as an extremist organisation.AfD's leadership on Thursday welcomed the decision by the country's intelligence service BfV.What's next?The court case on an AfD motion to issue a temporary injunction to the extremist label is ongoing.abc.net.au/news/afd-extremist-classification-paused-by-german-spy-agency/105271272Link copiedShareShare articleGermany's domestic spy agency has paused its classification of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as an extremist organisation in what the AfD called a partial victory for its challenge against the decision.The decision on the permanent classification is pending litigation by the AfD, a court in the city of Cologne said on Thursday.The agency would not publicly refer to the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist movement" until the court has ruled on an AfD motion to issue a temporary injunction, the statement said.AfD's leadership has welcomed the decision by the BfV, which the court said was not acknowledging any legal obligation."This is a first important step towards our actual exoneration and thus countering the accusation of right-wing extremism," party leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel said in a joint statement.AfD leader Alice Weidel. (AP: Soeren Stache/DPA )The extremist classification announced last week allows the Cologne-based spy agency to step up monitoring of the AfD, for example by recruiting informants and intercepting party communications.The agency's 1,100-page experts' report, which is not to be released to the public, found the AfD to be a racist and anti-Muslim organisation.AfD suing over 'extremist' labelAfD filed the lawsuit and a petition against the spy agency on Monday, local time.AfD sues German spy agency, Kremlin and US weigh inPhoto shows AfD campaign rallyA far-right party in Germany has filed a lawsuit challenging a spy agency's decision to classify it as an extremist organisation.The party has denounced the designation as a politically motivated attempt to discredit and criminalise the AfD.Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that simply banning the far-right party would not end the groundswell of support for it.In one of his first interviews since being sworn in, Mr Merz said the government would carefully evaluate the intelligence agency report before drawing its own conclusions."But I would also like to add: 10 million AfD voters — you can't ban them," the conservative politician said."You have to engage with them factually and on substance.""And I want to do everything in this federal government to help people regain trust in the political centre — so that they no longer feel the need to vote for a party like the AfD."ReutersPosted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:14pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesCabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows A close up shot of a woman wearing a white blazer and black and white shirt.Conclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows Black smoke spewing from a chimney.Wrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimePhoto shows Paramedics stand with stretches near vehicles on a road.Popular nowSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:SoccerPhoto shows Two women smile as one holds an infant to her chestCabinet ministers Dreyfus, Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsFormer Liberal MP Katie Allen announces diagnosis of rare cancerTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Woman sitting on a panel show smilingRelated topicsGermanyWorld PoliticsTop StoriesCabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsConclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersWrong warnings, panicked staff: Bondi inquest reveals timeline of confusionTopic:CrimeJust InMan charged with stalking Jennifer Aniston after crashing into her homeTopic:Courts7m ago7 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:23pmMaro Itoje captains British and Irish Lions squad for Australia tourTopic:Rugby UnionJust nowThu 8 May 2025 at 2:31pmGerman spy agency pauses 'extremist' classification for AfD partyTopic:World Politics1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:14pmSam Kerr announces birth of son with partner Kristie MewisTopic:Soccer2h ago2 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:52amMore Just InBack to top