Alarm over Far-Right Youth Movements after Investigations Reveal Digital Extremism
Official voice expresses worry over studies focusing on radicalized young right-wing factions. - Government official expresses worrisome sentiment regarding studies focusing on extreme-right adolescent organizations
By Vivian Micks and Florian Schillat
Feel the heat as high-ranking officials voice their worries following stern's and RTL's investigations into far-right youth groups. North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) isn't mincing words, "The findings demonstrate the perils of digital far-right extremism. We bloody well need to dive deeper into the digital abyss because these extremists and recruiters are already submerged." Backing him, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) says, "Research indicates far-right youth groups should remain a priority for security agencies' focus."
SPD's Dirk Wiese, a key player in the Bundestag and potential high-ranking member in the new government, warns, "People can be radicalized at breakneck speed these days and commit horrendous acts. It's chilling to see how complacent the authorities often are, allowing a tidal wave of right-wing violence by connected, often young culprits to go unchecked, until journalists step in with evidence."
Wiese welcomes the ban proposal by Brandenburg's Verfassungsschutz chief Dirk Müller, who proposed banning right-wing chat groups. "Müller is putting forth a crucial, thought-provoking proposition here," Wiese comments.
Martina Renner, the right-wing extremism expert of the Left, criticizes investigative authorities for turning a blind eye to the situation. She states, "The rising tide of right-wing violence orchestrated by networked, often young perpetrators is being overlooked by the police to such an extent that evidence has to be provided by journalists."
Tour de Force by stern and RTL Journalists
For months, a dedicated team from stern and RTL has been undercover, infiltrating several far-right youth groups. They uncovered a group's plans to torch an asylum accommodation in Senftenberg, Brandenburg, leading to the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect in February 2025. A spokesperson for the Dresden General Prosecutor's Office confirmed this.
The Investigative Team:- Jonas Fedders, Markus Frenzel, Angelique Geray, David Holzapfel- Tina Kaiser, Frederik Mittendorff- Marc Neller
Coordination: Tina Kaiser, Tim Kickbusch, Marc Neller.
Verification: Michael Lehmann
Dive deeper into the topic on Monday, May 5, 2025, as RTL airs the TV documentary "stern Investigative" at 22:35. It will also be streamed on stern.de and RTL+.
What's Brewing in the Shadows:
- The dissolution of the AfD’s Junge Alternative induced concerns due to their alleged xenophobic activities, as members were caught singing hateful chants, such as "Ausländer raus" (foreigners out)[3]. While restructured and now under direct party control, analysts predict continued radical rhetoric, with the group remaining a "strong and zealous" force in the far-right camp[3].
- The normalization of extremism in mainstream politics presents a challenge as parties adopt far-right narratives, risking the legitimization of extremist framing. This strategy appears to be counterproductive, as research shows it fails to reduce support for radical parties. Instead, it makes extremist rhetoric socially acceptable[2]. Online platforms amplify this trend by spreading hate speech and conspiracy theories, as seen in the anti-government protests that evoke warnings from the Nazi era, such as "Nie wieder ist jetzt" (Never again is now)[2].
- Efforts to erect a "firewall strategy" are met with difficulties as some CDU members advocate for co-opting far-right themes, despite evidence suggesting this strategy empowers groups like the AfD[2]. Digital spaces add another layer of complexity, making it challenging for containment efforts as viral content bypasses traditional political safeguards[3].
Increased public alarm is evident as recent protests feature imagery comparing AfD leaders to Nazis[3]. Brace yourself for stern and RTL's revealing documentary on the danger of far-right youth groups operating online.
- Despite the Commission being asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, the rising tide of right-wing violence by connected, often young culprits, including those recruited by extremist groups, has been causing alarm in politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
- Research indicates far-right youth groups should remain a priority for security agencies' focus, as shown by the events uncovered by stern and RTL investigative journalists who infiltrated several far-right youth groups, revealing plans to commit acts of violence, such as torching an asylum accommodation.
- In the wake of these revelations, some high-ranking officials have argued that efforts to erect a "firewall strategy" are met with difficulties, as digital spaces make it challenging for containment efforts and some CDU members advocate for co-opting far-right themes, empowering extremist groups like the AfD.
- The normalization of extremism in mainstream politics poses a challenge, as parties adopt far-right narratives and risk the legitimization of extremist framing, which can make extremist rhetoric socially acceptable, as seen in the anti-government protests that evoke warnings from the Nazi era.
