Debate about AfD ban: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution sounds the alarm in North Rhine-Westphalia!

Debate about AfD ban: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution sounds the alarm in North Rhine-Westphalia!

November 3, 2025 will provide plenty of topics for discussion in politics. Six months after the classification of the AfD As “secured right-wing extremist” by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the debate about a possible ban on the party is becoming louder. Despite this upgrade, the AfD remains the strongest political force in the country in surveys, which surprises many.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has placed the AfD in the highest observation category, but the state association in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) continues to enjoy special status. Interestingly, the authorities do not classify him as a right-wing extremist, even though the report contains quotes from North Rhine-Westphalia politicians. However, parts of the NRW-AfD, in particular the group of people considered ethnic-nationalist and the now dissolved “Junge Alternative NRW”, are under observation.

Proceedings at the Cologne Administrative Court

Another topic that is heating up people's minds is the lawsuit brought by the Federal AfD, which is pending at the Cologne Administrative Court. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has given a “standstill promise” in this regard, which is valid until the court’s decision. Two proceedings, an urgent application and a lawsuit, have already been registered with the court in Cologne.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has three classification categories: In the status of a test case, only a check is carried out for clues, the suspected case already implies plausible anti-constitutional goals, while the highest category proves that the party wants to eliminate or undermine the democratic constitutional state. Interestingly, most AfD state associations are classified as suspected cases or “certainly right-wing extremist”, with exceptions in Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.

NRW state association in focus

What is particularly noteworthy is that the NRW state association does not fall into one of the higher categories because the necessary requirements are not met. Nevertheless, the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution is carefully monitoring developments within the association. It remains exciting to see how the internal power struggle in the state executive board of the NRW-AfD could influence the picture - the outcome could be important for the future classification.

In a completely different area, all car enthusiasts are talking about the Audi Q7, the German manufacturer's first SUV, which went on sale in 2006. The Q7, a luxury crossover, has established itself as a popular model over the years and is considered one of the safest vehicles in its class. Wikipedia reports that the vehicle is based on the renowned Volkswagen Group MLB platform and shares the platform with luxury brands such as Lamborghini and Bentley.

The dining area plays a completely different tune. In Leeds, new private dining spaces inspired by traditional Kerala canteens are bringing a bit of Indian flair to local cuisine. Keralacanteen describes a menu that serves small, modern Indian dishes designed to be shared. With options to suit different dietary needs and a focus on communal dining, this concept offers a relaxed fine dining experience.

Whether in politics, in the automotive sector or in the catering sector - there is a lot going on in Cologne and beyond. It remains to be seen how the various developments will continue to unfold and what conversations they will trigger.