Department Head of Internal Affairs - Ebling warns of heightened risk from radical groups.
Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) cautioned about rising dangers from right-wing extremism and Islamism, as well as greater influence from foreign intelligence services. He made these comments on Monday at the unveiling of the Rhineland-Palatinate Constitution Protection Report for 2023 in Mainz.
Both right-wing extremism and Islamism are highly mobilizable, noted Ebling. They even manage to influence non-extremist groups. This trend is worrisome because their unyielding friend-enemy mindset and violent fringe elements make them potentially dangerous. These groups often engage in violent acts, including murder and attacks. The number of individuals the Constitution Protection Agency has classified under these two scenes shows an upward trend.
The number of right-wing extremists designated by the agency in Rhineland-Palatinate stands at around 770 (it was 750 in 2022), out of whom 150 are violent. In the case of Islamists, the figure is 700 (660 in 2021), with 65 of them being considered violent.
The ideological similarities connecting the right-wing and Islamist extremist spectra, according to Ebling, include antisemitism, devaluation of the democratic rule of law, and historical reinterpretation. Examples include the "Identitarian Movement Germany" and the "Revolt Rhineland" group in northern Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as the "Muslim Interactive" group.
These groups are youthful, tech-savvy, and driven by a mission. They offer simple solutions to complex societal problems but hide behind concepts like "Remigration" or "Caliphate," which are more ideologically-driven power fantasies than practical, democratic solutions.
Causes of the increased threat include the terrorist attack by the Islamist group Hamas on Israel, the ensuing Middle East conflict escalation, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing Corona pandemic. Extremists found an opportunity to intensify the push to promote their divisive positions in society. The spread of disinformation and conspiracy theories has increased as well.
The far-right party AfD draws scrutiny from the Rhineland-Palatinate Constitution Protection Agency. The agency has identified no moderate wing within the party, while radicalization increases. The AfD actively networks with the "New Right" actors. This network comprises AfD party members, members of the AfD youth organization "Junge Alternative," "Identitarian Movement," "neo-right" think tanks, and the "German Fraternity Confederation" umbrella organization fraternities. These groups share an intensive ideological and personal exchange.
The court in Münster upheld previous classifying of the AfD as a right-wing extremism suspicion case by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Hence, the Constitutional Protection Agency can continue to employ intelligence services to monitor the party. Since the state office is part of the federal party, it is also an object of surveillance in Rhineland-Palatinate.
The "Citizens of the Reich" and "Self-Governors" spectrum has grown significantly, with the potential rising from 950 to 1050 over the last year. The majority of this group isn't affiliated with a specific organization. The inclination towards weaponry within the fringe group remains unchanged.
Foreign state actors and intelligence services are also attempting to destabilize Germany's political system and undermine citizens' confidence in it. Russia, in particular, is trying to execute cyber attacks, spread disinformation, and conduct espionage activities. China is also suspected of extensive surveillance and influence activities, which are likely to intensify in the near future.
Personnel, financial, and material supplies for the Constitutional Protection Agency and police are the demands made by the Police Union (GdP), given these developments. The Rhineland-Palatinate GdP chairperson, Steffi Loth, underlined the pressing need for political engagement in internal security.
CDU parliamentarian Marcus Klein stressed the need for a strengthened Constitutional Protection Agency, given the findings of the report. Klein, CDU's vice-chairman of the parliamentary control committee, oversees the state government's monitoring of the agency's activities.
Additionally, Michael Hüttner, who's an extremism expert in the SPD party, stressed how crucial a robust Constitutional Protection Agency and police force are for a stable legal system. Nevertheless, being attentive and vigilant as a society is vital in safeguarding democracy. "Preventive measures and political education have become more crucial than ever as extremist views spread more rapidly thanks to social media platforms."
