In response to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s lawsuit challenging their classification as “observed as right-wing extremist” the Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) has provided a provisional standstill agreement. This means that the measures associated with the heightened classification will not be implemented immediately.
AfD leader Alice Weidel welcomed the development, stating that it is “a first success for the AfD and democracy in our country.” She also emphasized that the party will continue to fight against the unjustified defamation of the AfD and expressed confidence in their ability to do so successfully.
This is not the first time the Verfassungsschutz has granted a standstill agreement to the AfD. After the party’s lawsuit in 2021 challenging their classification as a “potential threat” the Verfassungsschutz had previously provided such an agreement. However, the AfD has been unsuccessful in both instances, with the decision from the Münster Higher Administrative Court still not being legally binding.