In Germany, the application for recognition of the AFD as a right-wing extremist party was temporarily withdrawn.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany (Counterintelligence) has temporarily suspended the definition of the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as right-wing extremist pending a court ruling. This was reported by the Bild newspaper on May 8.

"The press release of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) will also be removed from the website, at least temporarily," the article says.

According to the newspaper, the counterintelligence service refused to comment on the information "out of respect for the court."

AFD co-chair Alisa Weidel, in turn, wrote on the social network X that the party resists the recognition of the faction as right-wing extremist by all legal means.

"The Federal Agency has given a corresponding commitment not to name Alternative for Germany as "guaranteed to be far-right" until the relevant court decision is made. This is the first important step towards our actual release from responsibility and, consequently, the removal of charges of right—wing extremism," she added.

The most popular party may be banned in Germany. Analysis.

On May 2, it became known that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Germany classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist organization threatening democracy in the country. According to the authorities, this step reduces the obstacles to monitoring the party with the help of special services and allows for better control of its activities. Later, on May 5, the AfD sued the Federal Office for the Protection of the German Constitution for its decision.

Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov called the attacks on the AFD a sign of the beginning of the self-destruction of the state.