Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party scored a legal victory this week as a Cologne administrative court suspended efforts to formally designate it as a "confirmed extremist" organization. The ruling, issued Thursday, blocks the BfV domestic intelligence service from treating the AfD as right-wing extremist until a final verdict is reached.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel called the decision a "major victory for democracy," claiming it thwarted attempts by "fanatics" to outlaw the party. The timing proves critical ahead of five state elections scheduled across Germany this year, where the AfD aims to expand its influence.
The court acknowledged insufficient evidence under preliminary review to justify the BfV's 2025 classification, which had allowed intensified surveillance of the opposition party. While the injunction offers temporary relief, legal uncertainty persists as no timeline exists for resolving the core case.
Last year's designation polarized German politics, with some lawmakers advocating for an outright ban on the AfD. The party framed the scrutiny as an attack on free speech, drawing rare support from the administration of former US President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had urged Berlin to reverse its decision, calling it politically motivated.
Analysts suggest the ruling could bolster the AfD's campaign messaging about "systemic bias" while testing public trust in Germany's democratic institutions ahead of pivotal regional votes.
