
Germany designates AfD as right-wing extremist organisation
Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has designated AfD as a right-wing extremist organisation, citing xenophobic stances as the reason. #EuropeNews

Doing it by the book. And writing a very comprehensive memorandum with evidence as to why AfD are a threat to Germany’s democratic order. Which will certainly help if the German federal government attempt to ban the AfD.Why'd it take them this long?
Good. Doing things by the book, making sure all formalities are attended to make it that much harder for anyone to attempt to reverse the action or claim unfairness.Doing it by the book. And writing a very comprehensive memorandum with evidence as to why AfD are a threat to Germany’s democratic order. Which will certainly help if the German federal government attempt to ban the AfD.
So it's purely a formality. An excuse to say "I told you so" if things get worse.However, the designation does not amount to a ban of the party, which can only take place through a request by either of parliament's two chambers or the federal government through the Federal Constitutional Court.
Although the German parliament could ask for the entire party to be dissolved, it is very unlikely that this will actually happen.
Court Pauses German Spy Agency’s AfD Classification
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency will pause its move to classify the popular political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) as extremist due to pending lawsuits.
A court in Cologne, Germany, said in a statement Thursday that the agency could not consider AfD a "confirmed right-wing extremist movement" until lawsuits had been properly addressed.
"This is a first important step towards our actual exoneration and thus countering the accusation of right-wing extremism," said AfD leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel in a joint statement.
Poland, France to Sign Mutual Assistance Treaty
Poland and France are set to sign a treaty to increase cooperation on defense, security, and energy today. The treaty includes assurances around mutual assistance in the event either country is attacked.
"From my experience, the provisions of the treaty are groundbreaking from the point of view of our safety," said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He clarified that the deal is not a viable “alternative” to the US or Europe in general, saying "we need both America and a strong European Union."