Germany's spy agency on Friday classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as "extremist", enabling it to step up monitoring of the country's biggest opposition party, which decried the move as a "blow against democracy". A 1,100-page report by experts found that the AfD is a racist and anti-Muslim organisation, a finding that grants the security services powers to recruit informants and intercept party communications. The move is one of several blows to the far-right across Europe in recent months as it seeks to translate surging support into power. Others include a ban on France's Marine Le Pen contesting the 2027 presidential election after her conviction for embezzlement and the postponement of Romania's presidential vote after a far-right candidate won the first round.