Neo-Nazi and Eurosceptic groups have been given a major boost ahead of the European elections.
The country's top court has struck down a rule which requires parties to win 3 per cent of the vote before they can win a seat in Europe.
The rule is based on Germany's domestic laws, which are designed to stop extremist parties from getting seats in national parliaments - a system that dates from the end of World War 2.
However the Constitutional Court says the rule is illegal for European elections - meaning it will be easier for neo-Nazi and Eurosceptic groups to win seats in the elections in May.
The ruling means that parties who win around 1 per cent will probably be able to put forward an MEP.
This will probably mean at least one MEP from the new German National Party (NPD), which authorities have tried to ban because of its close ideological links to the Nazi movement.
The NPD won 1.3 per cent of the vote in last year's general election, which fell short of the 5% threshold that applies in national votes.
