Rising Tide of the Far Right: Counter-initiatives Sound Alarm
The extremist right-wing has gained significant traction this year, as reported by counter-initiatives. This alarming trend has also weakened the resilience of civil society, according to an annual report from the Federal Association for Mobile Counseling. This association represents 50 mobile teams dedicated to supporting citizens in their fight against the right-wing. Among its recommendations is a call for the AfD to be banned.
Dominik Schumacher, a representative from the association, identified three worrying trends in the rise of right-wing extremism:
- The AfD is more successful than ever, and its ideologies are being increasingly adopted by democratic parties.
- A "stable, anti-democratic protest milieu" has emerged from the coronavirus protests.
- Extreme right-wing actors have purchased real estate in various parts of the country, thereby establishing a strong presence in the community.
"Right-wing extremists seek to integrate"
Schumacher remarked that right-wing extremists aim to be an integral part of society. They are active across a broad spectrum, including allotment garden associations. Local residents are opposing this and exposing their underlying structures. However, Schumacher lamented that "protest is more tired than it has been for a long time." People are drained, and they receive insufficient support from politicians.
"Fear-driven silence"
Dorothea Schneider from the association "Augen auf - Zivilcourage zeigen" in Zittau noted with concern the current situation. Citizens are less and less willing to speak out against right-wing extremism due to fear. Schneider voiced that this situation feels as if "it's now more dangerous than during the so-called baseball bat years."
Advocating for an AfD Ban
Schneider affirmed her support for banning the AfD. She reasoned that this move would significantly impact the party's funding and resources, thereby helping to curb the advance of right-wing extremism in Germany. Currently, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies two AfD state associations - Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt - as confirmed right-wing extremist organisations. The AfD as a whole is considered a suspect right-wing extremist organisation.
Call for Other Parties to Support Democracy
The umbrella organization called for greater support from other political parties for those standing up for democracy. Schumacher stressed the need to clearly differentiate themselves from the AfD and to provide democratic solutions to societal problems. Failure to do so will only empower the extreme right, resulting in their continued advancement in 2024.
Enrichment Insights
To curb the advance of right-wing extremism in Germany, several measures are being implemented:
- Firewall against the Far Right: This strategic approach aims to prevent mainstream parties from endorsing anti-democratic elements and discourage alignment with far-right ideologies.
- Legislative and Sanctions Measures: Governments are actively using legal tools to disrupt extremist networks and limit their influence. This includes stricter border control legislation and proactive sanctions against extreme-right groups.
- University Initiatives: Universities are taking measures to combat right-wing extremist activities, such as reporting incidents to the police and imposing sanctions against students or employees who commit politically motivated crimes.
- Public Awareness and Protests: Large-scale protests have been held across Germany to emphasize the need to uphold democracy and prevent the rise of far-right ideologies.
- Political Party Stances: Mainstream parties have reaffirmed their categorical rejection of cooperating with the AfD or accepting any form of dependency on them.
These initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the threat of far-right extremism in Germany, involving legislative actions, public awareness campaigns, and strategic political stances.
