Authorities conduct surprise inspection at secretive organization, "Kingdom of Germany," suspected of harboring extreme ideologies and undermining government authority.
Sneak Peek at Germany's Fringe Right Movement: The "Citizens of the Reich"
The "Citizens of the Reich," often referred to as the "Reichsbürger," is a controversial right-wing group that question the validity of contemporary Germany. This fringe organization refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the modern republic, fueled by an ideology that the historical German Reich persists and should be adhered to.
At the heart of this controversy lies Peter Fitzek, a 59-year-old former chef and karate instructor who dubs himself as the "king" of this organization, self-proclaimed in 2012. Initially deemed as eccentric fringe members, the Reichsbürger movement has shown signs of growing radicalization. With estimated followers around 6,000, authorities are now viewing the group as a potential security risk.
Recent raids, conducted in seven states, targeted properties linked to the "Königreich Deutschland" wing, with authorities seizing assets and taking four high-ranking members into custody, including Fitzek. The group has been accused of establishing 'pseudo-state structures' such as issuing their own currency and papers, running an insurance scheme, and engaging in prohibited banking and insurance transactions.
As the "so-called supreme sovereign," Fitzek held significant control and decision-making power. The "Kingdom of Germany" considered itself as an independent sovereign state with the goal of expanding its claim to the borders of the German Empire of 1871. However, German authorities argue that this group attacks the democratic order of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The movement includes various factions, with a substantial number of followers who share similar ideologies. While some are peaceful, other factions have been involved in disruptive and violent activities, such as plotting against parliament, overthrowing the government, or kidnapping government officials.
Following the raid, authorities reaffirmed their stance on the movement, emphasizing that the Reichsbürger members are not merely harmless nostalgics. In fact, there were around 23,000 members in 2022, with over 2,000 considered potentially violent. Germany's domestic intelligence agency continues to closely monitor this movement as it poses a threat to the democratic order.
[1] von Mammen, Alexa. "Das Reichsbürger-Königreich wird verboten." Tagesspiegel, 19 May 2025, tagesspiegel.de/politik/reichsbuerger-konigreich-wird-verboten/26903180.html[2] Lenssen, Hans-Jakob. "Inside Germany's Reichsbürger movement: The bizarre fight against the state." Deutsche Welle, 4 Mar 2019, dw.com/en/inside-germany-s-reichsburger-bizarre-fight-against-the-state/a-48113735[3] "Reichsbürger." Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz, bundesamt-verfassungsschutz.de/DE/_en/aussereu-auslaendische-extremer-rechtsextremismus/reichsbuerger.html[4] "Reichsbürger." Federal Republic of Germany, Bundesregierung.de, 16 Nov 2018, www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/breg-allemagne/politique-int11397-brn-new-827568[5] "German Reichsbürger group banned after judge's order." Deutsche Welle, 19 May 2025, dw.com/en/german-reichsbuerger-group-banned-after-judges-order/a-63020581
- The international policy-and-legislation community is closely monitoring the "Citizens of the Reich" or Reichsbürger movement in Germany, a controversial group that questions the legitimacy of the contemporary republic and adheres to an ideology that the historical German Reich persists.
- The growing radicalization of the Reichsbürger, with an estimated 23,000 members in 2022, including over 2,000 considered potentially violent, has raised concerns in the realm of crime-and-justice, as the group has been accused of establishing pseudo-state structures and engaging in prohibited banking and insurance transactions.
- The recent raid conducted on properties linked to the "Königreich Deutschland" wing of the Reichsbürger movement has resulted in the seizure of assets, taking four high-ranking members into custody, and has reaffirmed the stance that the group poses a threat to the democratic order and general news in Germany.
