Germany's Far-Right Extremist Numbers Surge to Nearly 60,000
Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has reported a troubling rise in far-right extremism, with the number of identified extremists reaching 58,700 in 2022, an increase of more than 8,000 from the previous year. Sinan Selen, head of the BfV, emphasized that German democracy faces a "practically permanent attack" from both internal and external sources, including intelligence activities from Russia, China, and Iran.
The report indicates that among the far-right extremists, approximately 5,600 are considered violent. A significant factor in this rise is attributed to the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, which has seen its membership swell to 70,000. The AfD, which secured 152 seats in the federal parliament during last year's elections, is polling strongly ahead of upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt, where it could potentially form its first state-level government.
The BfV's report highlights the party's focus on recruiting young people, particularly through far-right music events, which have also seen increased attendance. Although the AfD was classified as a right-wing extremist group last year, this designation was temporarily suspended following a legal challenge. The agency continues to monitor the party, noting that the rise in membership likely correlates with an increase in extremist sentiments among its members.
The report also sheds light on other extremist groups, identifying around 26,000 individuals associated with the Reichsbürger and Selbstverwalter movements, who reject the legitimacy of the German state and propagate conspiracy theories and antisemitic narratives. In contrast, left-wing extremism has also seen a rise, with numbers reaching 42,200, and incidents of violence against right-wing extremists and police have increased significantly. Additionally, the number of individuals involved in Islamist extremism has risen slightly to 28,645.
As the AfD prepares for its party conference in Erfurt, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has warned of potential violence during protests against the event, urging that demonstrations remain peaceful. The report serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Germany in maintaining democratic stability amid rising extremism from various factions.
