MUENSTER, Germany: A German court is due to rule this week on whether security services can treat the far-right Alternative for Germany and its youth wing as suspected extremist organizations, a decision that could cost the party dearly in upcoming European elections.
If the higher administrative court in Muenster confirms a lower court finding, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), tasked with scrutinizing threats to Germany’s constitutional order, will retain the power to deploy the full range of intelligence tools against the party.