German intelligence suspends AfD 'extremist' tag until court ruling

Germany's domestic intelligence agency will not treat the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" organization until a court settles the party's lawsuit against the classification.

A spokeswoman for the administrative court in Cologne dealing with the dispute said the agency - formally known as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) - has said it will suspend the categorization, which was announced in a lengthy report last week, until the court makes a ruling in the urgent proceedings.

The BfV said on Thursday that it would not comment on the matter "with a view to the ongoing proceedings and out of respect for the court."

The AfD confirmed on Monday that it was taking legal action against the classification, which gives the intelligence services broader surveillance powers over the party.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said the agency's temporary suspension of its categorization was a victory for the party and for democracy.

"We will continue to take action against the unjustified defamation of the AfD and are convinced that we will be successful in doing so," she told dpa.

It is unclear when the expedited court ruling could be issued. Until the case has been heard, the BfV will not refer to or treat the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" organization, although it has not withdrawn its decision.

Under its pre-existing categorization of the party as a "suspected" extremist case, the agency is already permitted to carry out certain measures to investigate the party, which finished second in February's parliamentary elections.