Germany Halts AfD Extremist Label Amid Legal Challenge

Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has temporarily suspended its classification of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization after the party lodged a legal appeal. The agency will not publicly label the AfD as extremist nor use associated surveillance powers until a court in Cologne rules on the injunction. The BfV's initial classification last week sparked political debate, with some lawmakers urging a ban on the AfD, while party leaders dismissed the move as politically motivated. The AfD sees the suspension as a partial victory and claims the agency's action aimed to discredit them. Despite pausing the extremist label, the BfV maintains its view that the AfD shows racist and anti-Muslim tendencies. The timing of the court's final decision remains uncertain.