Germany pushes forward plan to seek far-right ban

Germany's state governors have backed plans to seek a ban on the country's only significant far-right party — pushing the case a step closer to Germany's highest court.

All 16 state governors agreed to apply to the Federal Constitutional Court for a ban on the National Democratic Party, which they say promotes a racist, anti-constitutional agenda. Their interior ministers recommended the move yesterday.

A previous ban attempt failed embarrassingly a decade ago when it emerged paid government informants were partially responsible for evidence against the party. That long made officials wary of trying again.

The federal government hasn't yet committed to joining the ban application, which isn't legally necessary. Chancellor Angela Merkel said officials have put together "a very impressive collection of facts" but the application also carries risks.

AP