Germany's highest court on Wednesday backed a far-right party's complaint against former Chancellor Angela Merkel's comments that the election of a state governor with the party's support was "inexcusable"&nbsp;and must not be allowed to stand.

The Federal Constitutional Court found that the comments, made by the then-chancellor in 2020, violated Alternative for Germany's right to equality of opportunities.

&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-defends-russia-legacy-says-nothing-to-apologise-for-486194">Merkel defends Russia legacy, says 'nothing to apologise for'</a>

Merkel's comments during an official visit to South Africa and later posted on her and the government's websites, came a day after the surprise election of Thomas Kemmerich, a member of the pro-business Free Democrats, as governor of the eastern state of Thuringia.

Kemmerich narrowly defeated a left-wing incumbent after Alternative for Germany representatives in the state legislature voted for him instead of AfD's own candidate.

His election was a major embarrassment for Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union, which also had backed Kemmerich.

Watch |&nbsp;Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel defends her Russian policy

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Merkel vented her displeasure during a news conference in South Africa, saying that Kemmerich's election "broke with a fundamental conviction for the CDU, and for me, too, that no majorities should be won with help from AfD."

Later the same day, Kemmerich announced that he planned to step down.

The German supreme court found that Merkel had "negatively qualified" AfD in an official capacity and so "influenced the competition of political parties in a one-sided way."&nbsp;The court further held that the government used resources that only it has in publishing the comments on its websites.

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There was some dissent to the decision, which judges made by a 5-3 majority. The ruling doesn't have direct consequences for Merkel.

AfD previously took similar action. In 2020, the top court ruled that Germany's then interior minister violated the party's rights by posting on his ministry's website an interview in which he criticized its behavior as "undermining the state."

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Germany's highest court on Wednesday backed a far-right party's complaint against former Chancellor Angela Merkel's comments that the election of a state governor with the party's support was "inexcusable" and must not be allowed to stand.

Germany's highest court on Wednesday backed a far-right party's complaint against former Chancellor Angela Merkel's comments that the election of a state governor with the party's support was "inexcusable" and must not be allowed to stand. The Federal Constitutional Court found that the comments, made by the then-chancellor in 2020, violated Alternative for Germany's right to equality of opportunities. Also read | Merkel defends Russia legacy, says 'nothing to apologise for' Merkel's comments during an official visit to South Africa and later posted on her and the government's websites, came a day after the surprise election of Thomas Kemmerich, a member of the pro-business Free Democrats, as governor of the eastern state of Thuringia. Kemmerich narrowly defeated a left-wing incumbent after Alternative for Germany representatives in the state legislature voted for him instead of AfD's own candidate. His election was a major embarrassment for Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union, which also had backed Kemmerich. Watch | Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel defends her Russian policy Merkel vented her displeasure during a news conference in South Africa, saying that Kemmerich's election "broke with a fundamental conviction for the CDU, and for me, too, that no majorities should be won with help from AfD." Later the same day, Kemmerich announced that he planned to step down. The German supreme court found that Merkel had "negatively qualified" AfD in an official capacity and so "influenced the competition of political parties in a one-sided way." The court further held that the government used resources that only it has in publishing the comments on its websites. Also read | Gazprom makes more cuts in Nord Stream gas supplies, Germany fumes There was some dissent to the decision, which judges made by a 5-3 majority. The ruling doesn't have direct consequences for Merkel. AfD previously took similar action. In 2020, the top court ruled that Germany's then interior minister violated the party's rights by posting on his ministry's website an interview in which he criticized its behavior as "undermining the state." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top German court backs far-right party over Merkel's comments

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday quoted Russia as one the of biggest challenge for NATO. 'We must not overrate China and just need to find the right balance', She added. Chancellor Merkel is expected to meet US President Joe Biden in July to discuss China and Russia.

'Russia poses one of the biggest challenges for NATO': Angela Merkel

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Top German court backs far-right party over Merkel's comments

'Russia poses one of the biggest challenges for NATO': Angela Merkel