German domestic intelligence agency had reason to target far-right party "Alternative to Germany" (AzG) under surveillance on suspicion of extremism, a court ruled yesterday, rejecting the appeal of the opposition party, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The Munster Administrative Court ruled in favor of the intelligence agency Office for the Protection of the Constitution, upholding a 2022 ruling by a lower court in Cologne. The decision means the agency can continue to monitor the party.
The court found that there is sufficient legal basis for such a qualification, while emphasizing that the step does not inevitably lead to the designation of the party as a proven case of right-wing extremism.
"Alternative to Germany" categorically rejected the definition and presented it as a political attempt to discredit the party. Roman Reusch, a member of its national leadership, said the party would try to appeal. Peter Boehringer, the party's deputy leader, complained that the court had failed to take into account "hundreds" requests for evidence.
The far-right party "Alternative for Germany" was established in 2013 and has steadily moved to the right over the years. Her platform initially centered on opposition to bailouts for struggling eurozone members, but her fierce opposition to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's then-decision to admit large numbers of refugees and other migrants in 2015 established the party as a significant political force.< /p>