Far-Right Party Celebrates Legal Win Ahead of 2026 Elections
Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a major political victory this week after a Cologne court blocked intelligence agencies from labeling them 'confirmed extremists' – for now. Co-leader Alice Weidel called the ruling a 'win for democracy' on social media, claiming it thwarts efforts by 'fanatics' to ban the party.
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The court suspended a 2025 decision by Germany's BfV domestic intelligence service that allowed heightened surveillance of the AfD. While the injunction isn't final, it gives the party momentum ahead of five state elections later this year. Critics argue the ruling risks normalizing far-right ideologies, while supporters see it as protecting free speech.
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The decision drew sharp responses internationally, with former US President Donald Trump's administration previously criticizing the AfD's surveillance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had urged Germany to reverse its 2025 classification, calling it 'overreach.'
Political analysts warn this legal battle could reshape Germany's landscape: 'This isn't just about surveillance – it's a high-stakes test of how democracies handle rising populism,' said Berlin-based researcher Lena Müller.
