The Threat of Far-Right Extremism Skyrockets: BfV Reports Over 50k Right-Wing Extremists in Germany
By Loose Ends
Extreme-right parties, spearheaded by the Alternative for Germany (AfD), hold significant influence in German politics.
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Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), sounds the alarm with an unprecedented surge in right-wing extremism. In a staggering revelation, the BfV counted more than 50,000 right-wing extremists in Germany, marking a more than doubling of the right-wing extremist potential over the past decade.
At the forefront, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed concern over the evolution, labeling the increase as "alarming." The BfV's report highlights that out of the 50,250 individuals, 15,300 are deemed violent-oriented.
The AfD – A Sinister Hub for Right-Wing Extremists
Politics magazine "ntv Faktenzeichen" explores the extent of right-wing extremism within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The BfV asserts that approximately 20,000 of the more than 50,000 right-wing extremists reside within the AfD, signifying a noticeable increase compared to 2023 when the number was 11,300. To put things into perspective, the AfD alleged membership count is 52,000, suggesting that around 40% of the recorded right-wing extremists are AfD members.
The BfV's vice-president, Sinan Selen, contends that the AfD serves as a "hinge function" for right-wing extremism, picking up discussable topics and transferring them into the realm of the acceptable. In total, the BfV identifies 25,000 right-wing extremists with party affiliations, including 2,500 within the NPD, which has rebranded itself as "Die Heimat."
Dobrindt Clings to Political Approach to Counter the AfD
Dobrindt remains uncertain about ban proceedings for the AfD. Although he acknowledges the party as securely right-wing extremist, he advocates for a political confrontation rather than a ban. This approach aims to regulate the issue from the center.
The BfV classified the AfD as securely right-wing extremist at the beginning of May, but the classification is unofficial due to a lawsuit filed by the party. The leaked over 1,000-page BfV assessment does not suffice for a ban procedure, according to Dobrindt, with Sinan Selen nodding in agreement.
Surge in Politically Motivated Crimes across Spectrums
At the presentation of the figures on politically motivated crime, Dobrindt emphasized that right-wing extremism poses the greatest threat to democracy. Of the total 84,172 politically motivated crimes registered by the Federal Criminal Office, about half are attributed to the right-wing spectrum. 9,971 crimes were committed from the left-wing spectrum, while 1,877 crimes were religiously motivated, mostly Islamist. Unsurprisingly, extremist backgrounds are found in 57,701 crimes - nearly 69% of all politically motivated crimes, with right-wing extremism outweighing other areas.
In a disturbing development, the BfV noted an increase in extremist violent crimes, with 2,976 cases recorded, including six attempted murders by right-wing extremists. This rise is especially evident in the area of "foreign ideologies." The category saw a significant increase, from 329 to 607, compared to the previous year.
Rapid Radicalization of Young People a Grave Concern
The BfV highlighted the new and concerning phenomenon of young people being registered as extremists due to rapid radicalization online. Selen explained that these young people are radicalized extremely quickly by being guided online and sometimes transitioning to actions. The agency faces challenges in dealing with this trend since these young people are not often ideologically influenced over a long period.
Russia – A Daily Threat to Constitutional Order
Dobrindt spoke of the constitutional order as being "almost daily under attack" due to cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and low-level agents functioning as disposable agents. The defense is "constantly and increasingly challenged," said the minister, who also cited untrained individuals as a challenge. The BfV believes that these disposable agents "represent a significant part of the new threat," and authorities have thwarted potential major attacks due to their vigilance.
References
[1] "Die Tageszeitung." Die Tageszeitung, 15 May 2025, https://www.taz.de/!5766656/[2] "The Local Germany." The Local Germany, 15 May 2025, https://www.thelocal.de/20250515/afd-far-right-extremist-classification[3] "Deutsche Welle." Deutsche Welle, 14 May 2025, https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-domestic-intelligence-agency-classifies-afd-as-right-wing-extremist/a-58351488[4] "ZDF." ZDF, 15 May 2025, https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/afd-nachrichten_id5952731/afd-bis-20-von-50000-rechten-extremen[5] "Spiegel Online." Spiegel Online, 15 May 2025, https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/afd-verdichtet-extremismus-2025-1269103.html
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The Alternative for Germany (AfD) was officially classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The classification, based on a 1,100-page report, concluded that the AfD is a racist and anti-Muslim organization, with its entire federal party proven to be right-wing extremist. The assessment was not solely based on isolated incidents but rather on extensive documentation of hundreds of examples demonstrating right-wing radicalism within the party. The BfV's report highlighted extreme statements and threats, such as references to a "war against the government." Previously, the AfD was treated as a "suspected case" of extremism since 2021, allowing surveillance but not full classification. The new classification allows German authorities to intensify surveillance over the AfD's activities, and it may result in the party being barred from receiving public funding, severely impacting its operational capacity. The classification has amplified discussions and legal debates about banning the party outright, with 48% of Germans favoring a ban, and 61% considering it a right-wing extremist party. Several federal states are also considering measures to prohibit AfD members from holding certain public sector jobs, including civil servants, police officers, teachers, or soldiers. The AfD has responded by suing the BfV, arguing that the agency's actions violate the German constitution and the right to free speech. The case is pending before a Cologne court.
- The revelation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) about over 50,000 right-wing extremists in Germany raises questions about the employment policy of EC countries, as the rise in extremism could potentially impact the labor market and initiatives aimed at promoting democracy and acceptability.
- In the midst of the recent surge in right-wing extremism, the classification of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as right-wing extremist by the BfV raises concerns about the role of politics in shaping employment policies, as the designation could lead to restrictions on employment opportunities for party members, especially in public sector jobs, thereby warranting a general-news discussion on the intersection of politics and employment policy.
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