A Steep Rise in Ultra-Nationalists Keeps Germany's Security Agencies on High Alert
Surveillance of Extremists Hits an All-Time High According to Authorities
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Copy Link The Annual Report of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), presented by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and BfV Vice President Sinan Selen in Berlin, indicates a staggering surge in ultra-nationalists under surveillance - an increase of approximately 23% from the previous year, totaling 50,250 individuals.
This significant rise can be attributed, in part, to the swelling ranks of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a group that the BfV has been scrutinizing since 2024. Some 20,000 AfD members were classified as potential ultra-nationalist threats in 2024, a figure that aligns with the party's self-reported membership of 50,000 as of November.
The report warns of the AfD's political and societal influence within the extreme right-wing spectrum, stating: "The AfD commands the principal position among right-wing extremist or suspected right-wing extremist parties."
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
Insights:
- The AfD's shift towards more hardline positions seems to have played a significant role in the rise of extremists within the party, with its extremist membership increasing by 77% in 2024 alone [1][2].
- It's worth noting that the party's rhetoric is often denigrating towards minorities, primarily immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries, and has been criticized for being incompatible with democratic values [1].
- Some party leaders, such as Bjoern Hoecke, have made statements that challenge Germany's democratic order, suggesting that elections could lead to an "implosion" of the established party system and usher in a supposed "real democracy." Critics view these remarks as a veiled call for radical political change [1].
- The AfD has taken legal action against the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's classification of the party as "extremist," a decision that enables increased monitoring of the group [1].
- The growth in extremist activities within the AfD appears to be linked to an alarming increase in crimes motivated by ultra-nationalism in Germany. Right-wing extremist crimes spiked by 47.4% in 2024, with incidents including six attempted murders and 23 cases of arson [1][4].
In sum, the growing influence of the AfD within the ultra-nationalist spectrum in Germany can be largely attributed to its expanding extremist membership, radical rhetoric, and the widespread societal impact of these factors.
- The policy-and-legislation department in the community may want to review and potentially amend the employment policy to address the growing influence of extremist activities within the AfD, as the increase in ultra-nationalist crimes is a matter of broader general-news concern and crime-and-justice interest.
- The politics section of various media outlets, such as general-news and crime-and-justice channels, might want to closely monitor the developments surrounding the AfD in relation to policy changes, as the party's hardline positions and increasing extremist membership could have significant repercussions for Germany's employment policy and societal dynamics.
