"The court found that there were indeed efforts to undermine Germany's free democratic order from within the AfD, highlighting its demands to ban Muslim minarets, public calls to prayer and headscarves in public institutions. But it ruled that the party as a whole was not "shaped by these efforts" such that "an anti-constitutional tendency can be established" to characterise the party in its entirety as extremist."
"Alice Weidel, the party's co-leader, hailed the ruling as "a major victory not only for the AfD but also for democracy and the rule of law" in a post on X. The decision had also "thrown a spanner in the works" for the "fanatics" seeking to outlaw the AfD, she added."
"Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, a conservative, noted that the court decision still found reason to suspect the AfD of working "against the free democratic order" and "pursuing anti-constitutional aims". The party will continue to be monitored as a "suspected" extremist group, he added."
A Cologne administrative court ruled that Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution cannot label the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a confirmed right-wing extremist group, at least pending final legal resolution. The court acknowledged evidence of efforts within the AfD to undermine Germany's free democratic order, including demands to ban Muslim religious practices in public spaces. However, the court determined these efforts do not characterize the entire party as extremist. The AfD will continue to be monitored as a suspected extremist group rather than a confirmed one. The party's co-leader Alice Weidel celebrated the decision as a victory for democracy and rule of law, while Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted the court still found reason to suspect the AfD of pursuing anti-constitutional aims.
Read at The Local Germany
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