Court stops German intelligence from labeling AfD as 'confirmed extremist'

A court in Cologne has issued a preliminary ruling that stops Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Verfassungsschutz, from classifying the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a 'confirmed extremist' entity. The court found the intelligence service's arguments insufficient for such a classification at this stage.

The AfD, which is the largest opposition party in the federal parliament, celebrated the decision. The ruling is temporary, stemming from an expedited legal procedure, and the core question of whether the party is extremist will be decided in a full main proceeding.