Extremist real estate rightists predominantly found in eastern Germany exceeding half the number
In Eastern Germany, there were approximately 129 far-right scene buildings reported in 2022, marking a 54% rise since 2017. Notably, the number of objects utilized by the far-right in Sachsen-Anhalt quadrupled, amounting to 33. The breaks down as follows: Saxony had 28 such buildings, Thuringia had 23, Brandenburg had 22, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had 15, and Berlin had eight.
However, these increases may be attributed to increased monitoring of the phenomenon. Regardless, the statistics suggest an "excessively high" number of far-right scene buildings in Eastern Germany.
Approximately 50% of these scene objects are commercial properties, such as former bars, hotels, or businesses. About a quarter are single- or multi-family houses or apartments. The remaining objects encompass club and association houses, farms, garages, allotment gardens, and open spaces.
Far-right extremists utilize scene objects for diverse purposes, including training, combat sports events, meetings, right-wing concerts, and planning clandestine activities. They also help establish a presence within the community and attract new recruits.
The far-right scene generates income through various means, including concerts, lectures, combat sports events, as well as tattoo studios, bars, publishing houses, music or modeling labels situated within these buildings.
A brochure published under the guidance of Sachsen-Anhalt provides a location analysis and actionable recommendations for municipalities and private real estate owners. As Saxony-Anhalt's Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang (CDU) explained, "Municipal authorities play a crucial role in implementing appropriate measures to complicate the purchase or rental of immovable property."
Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) pointed out that extremists often conceal their intentions or "present themselves as caretakers on site or as seemingly financially affluent investors, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions."
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In Eastern German regions like Saxony and Thuringia, far-right scene real estate significantly contributed to the excessively high number of reported objects. These regions saw 28 and 23 buildings, respectively, which routinely serve as venues for extremist activities. Similarly, in Saxony-Anhalt, the number of far-right scene buildings quadrupled, reaching 33, while Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin recorded 15 and 8 buildings, respectively. Notably, Brandenburg also saw an increase to 22 such buildings.
Despite the marked rise in the number of reported far-right scene buildings in Eastern Germany, experts caution that this trend may be largely attributed to increased monitoring. Nevertheless, the statistics unveil an alarming scene real estate presence for right-wing extremists in the region, exceeding half of the total recorded.
Both public authorities and private real estate owners have a vital role to play in challenging the far-right scene's expansion into Eastern Germany. For instance, Saxony-Anhalt's Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang emphasized the crucial role of municipalities in implementing measures complexifying the purchase or rental of property. Additionally, Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier highlighted that extremists often present themselves undercover while seeking to invest in economically disadvantaged areas.
