Overview

• The Cologne Administrative Court issued a 'promise of standstill,' halting the classification of AfD as an extremist movement pending legal review.
• The BfV has withdrawn its May 2 press release announcing the classification and committed to refrain from publicly referring to AfD as extremist during the suspension.
• Exceptional surveillance measures, including wiretaps and informants, have been paused as part of the suspension of the extremist designation.
• AfD filed an urgent injunction on May 5, arguing the classification was politically motivated and seeking to block its implementation.
• The BfV had previously monitored AfD as a 'case suspect' since 2021, but its May 2 designation marked a significant escalation in its stance against the party.