German intelligence agency to spy on far-right AfD party

Agency now able by law to monitor phones and activities of largest opposition party in parliament

The rightwing populist party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) is to be spied on by Germany's intelligence agency under suspicion of posing a threat to democracy, according to media reports.

The Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz (BfV) agency is now able by law to monitor the phones of AfD members and spy on its activities as a suspected extreme rightwing organisation, following a decision that the party argues could affect its chances in the autumn federal elections. It is currently the largest opposition party in parliament.