Intelligence may monitor right-wing AfD in Bavaria: German court

The intelligence services in Bavaria can legitimately monitor the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and inform the public on its activities, a Munich court ruled on Friday, reported dpa.

The summary ruling from the Bavarian Administrative Court came just over three weeks before elections in the southern state on October 8.

The Bavarian intelligence service – known in Germany as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution – took the decision in June last year to monitor the AfD as a whole, using both public and intelligence sources.

It justified the decision on the basis of needing to ascertain the influence of extremist tendencies within the party as well the need to monitor the party's political direction.

The Bavarian branch of the AfD lodged urgent legal action against both the decision to have authorities monitor it and provide information to the public, citing the principle of equal opportunities for political parties.

After the Munich court rejected the urgent application on April 17, the AfD appealed. The appeal has now also been rejected.

In its ruling, the court said there were factual indications that the AfD's campaigning as a whole showed anti-constitutional aspects. It pointed in particular to AfD members who belonged to a disbanded group within the party known as the Fluegel (Wing) faction.

The court also cited "fantasies of overthrowing" the government among members of the AfD's Bavarian branch. Additionally, the court said there are numerous indications that the party's overall politics violate the dignity of people of the Islamic faith.