The anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party on Monday sued the domestic intelligence service for classifying it as a right-wing extremist organisation, in a move that subjects it to greater surveillance from authorities.
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The party, known as AfD, which placed second in national elections in February, took legal action at an administrative court in the western city of Cologne where the domestic intelligence service has its headquarters, Daniel Tapp, a spokesman for party leader Alice Weidel, said.
A court spokesperson confirmed that the party filed a suit and an urgent motion, according to the DPA news agency. AfD has rejected the classification and called it unlawful.
The move by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution – the formal name of the domestic intelligence service – means its officials can now use informants and other tools such as audio and video recordings to monitor the party’s activities nationwide.
The office warned of a threat to the country’s democratic order, saying the anti-immigration party “disregards human dignity,” in particular by what it called “ongoing agitation” against refugees and migrants.
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Far-right parties have been gaining ground across Europe and the AfD attracts international attention, including support from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is a close ally of US President Donald Trump.
Some top Trump administration officials have criticised the decision, prompting a retort from the German Foreign Ministry.