The focus is on safeguarding the constitution. - Legal setback for the AfD
The Higher Administrative Court in Münster made a decision earlier this week, which could prove to be a significant burden for the right-wing populist party in their upcoming European election campaign.
In a previous instance, the Administrative Court of Cologne had confirmed that the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's classification of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its youth organization Junge Alternative (JA) as suspected right-wing extremists was appropriate.
On appeal, the AfD's legal team tried to delay and derail the process by submitting numerous objections and procedural maneuvers in the Administrative Court of Münster.
Given the potential consequences, it's no surprise that the party sought to interfere with the process: if the ruling from the first instance is upheld, the next stage would involve the AfD being classified as a "certain extremist movement." The Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has been working on a follow-up report for some time, focusing on the party's ties to Russia.
Have the AfD submitted an appeal?
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, an internal email stated that the expected "considerations" of the court in Münster should be "taken into account as far as possible" in the new report. This indicates that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is waiting for the hearing before the OVG so they can react promptly.
The final blow for the AfD? They are allowed to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. However, the ruling from Münster will only be reviewed for legal errors, and no new motions for evidence can be submitted.
Read also:
- Leipzig battles for top attacker Sesko.
- Fortuna determines to face relegation head-on.
- The insanely adventurous cycling route in Germany poses growing risks.
- Söder explores Rome with selfies.
Source: symclub.org
