Unchecked Rise in Right-wing Extremism: Over 50,000 Extremists in Germany, Says Interior Minister Dobrindt
Extreme right-wing elements in Germany predominantly align with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
By Hubertus Volmer
Let's face it, the political landscape in Germany is a hotbed of extremism. From the comfort of your couch, let's dive into the latest findings from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
For the first time, the BfV estimates that more than 50,000 right-wing extremists are operating in Germany—a staggering figure that has more than doubled over the past decade. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed his shock at this rapid increase in right-wing extremism.
Of these 50,250 right-wing extremists, the BfV identifies 15,300 as violence-oriented individuals. On the other hand, the left-wing extremist potential has also grown since then. The BfV currently identifies 38,000 left-wing extremists, of whom 11,200 are considered to be prone to violence.
AfD: The Hinge Function of Right-wing Extremism
Interestingly, the BfV estimates that around 20,000 of the 50,000 right-wing extremists are affiliated with the AfD. This number represents a significant increase from 2023, when there were still 11,300. This makes the AfD the party with the most right-wing extremists by far. To put things into perspective, the AfD claims to have about 52,000 members. An alarming 40% of the recorded right-wing extremists are AfD members.
The vice-president of the BfV, Sinan Selen, explains that the AfD serves as a "hinge function" in right-wing extremism. "Topics are taken up that are brought into the sayable." The BfV has identified 8,500 right-wing extremists who are organized outside of parties, and 18,000 right-wing extremists as largely unstructured right-wing extremist potential.
Dobrindt and the AfD Ban: A Misguided Battle?
In light of these disturbing findings, one might assume that Dobrindt would support a ban on the AfD. However, the Minister remains skeptical of the ban procedure. He admits that the AfD is undeniably right-wing extremist but believes it's more effective to handle the confrontation politically and to push the party out of the mainstream.
Dobrindt's assessment may be misguided, given that the BfV classified the AfD as "securely" right-wing extremist in May. However, this classification is on hold due to an ongoing lawsuit by the party. The decision is unofficial until a ruling has been made by the Court of Cologne. Despite the official classification, Dobrindt deems the expert opinion presented by the BfV as insufficient for a ban procedure.
Politically Motivated Crimes on the Rise
The report showcases a total of 84,172 politically motivated crimes, with approximately half attributed to the right-wing spectrum. Other notable figures include 9,971 crimes committed from the left-wing spectrum and 1,877 crimes motivated by religion, mostly Islamist. Approximately 7,343 crimes are attributed to the area of "foreign ideology" by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. In all areas, there's a significant increase compared to the previous year.
The BfV sees an extremist background in 57,701 crimes—almost 69% of all politically motivated crimes. Here, crimes with a right-wing extremist background (37,835) clearly outweigh those with a left-wing extremist background.
Online Radicalization of Young People
The report also highlights the online radicalization of young people, who are increasingly being radicalized quickly and being guided towards violent action. The BfV is struggling to address this trend as it doesn't follow the traditional ideological radicalization patterns.
- Current Status of the Ban Procedure for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party:A official ban on the AfD has not been enacted yet, but discussions are ongoing following the BfV's classification. Any proceedings to ban the party must follow legal processes and are not rushed.
- German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) View on AfD:The BfV classifies the AfD as a "right-wing extremist" party based on substantial documentation of public statements by party leaders, which have been criticized as racist and anti-Muslim, as well as linking immigrants from Muslim countries with higher crime rates. Despite the classification, both the AfD and critics argue that the decision is politically motivated and intended to discredit the party.
- Legal and Political Actions:The AfD launched a lawsuit against the BfV, accusing it of violating Germany's constitution by prosecuting the party for what it considers legitimate free speech and criticism of immigration policies. In addition, other parties have blocked the AfD from exercising some of its rights in the parliament, citing concerns over "fascism." The ongoing legal and political debates highlight the intricate nature of the situation, with some arguing that the BfV's classification is a political maneuver rather than a legal verdict.
- Despite the rising number of right-wing extremists in EC countries, as demonstrated by the escalating issue in Germany, there has been no significant change in the employment policy to address this issue or prevent radicalization.
- The ongoing debate surrounding the ban of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Germany has highlighted the intersection between politics, crime-and-justice, and general-news, with implications for employment policy and societal stability.
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