Data analytics - The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is recording an increasing number of right-wing extremists in Germany.
The Federal Office of Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has noted a consistent expansion of the right-wing extremist population in Germany. "We're witnessing a surge once again in the violence-prone right-wing extremists," said BfV President Thomas Haldenwang to the German Press Agency (dpa). The BfV is set to release its 2023 report next week.
The sizeable advance in this spectrum has been fueled by various structures of right-wing extremist groups. In contrast to the 2022 BfV report, which recorded a 14.5% increase to an estimated 38,800 right-wing extremists, the inclusion of the AfD, a party monitored by the BfV as a suspected case, was a significant contributing factor.
Back then, it was stated: "Given the ongoing content heterogeneity inside the party, not all party members can be considered supporters of extremist streams." The BfV estimated that 10,200 members of the AfD and its youth arm (JA) could be assigned to these streams. The party and its youth organization attempted legal actions against these restrictions, but these were dismissed by the Münster Higher Administrative Court in May.
BfV is working on a fresh evaluation of the AfD
The BfV is preparing a new assessment of the AfD. For a suspicion case to be maintained, it must undergo regular and objective evaluations, Haldenwang clarified. There are three possible outcomes: either the suspicion does not persist and the surveillance is terminated, or it solidifies, resulting in a confirmed right-wing extremist surveillance objective. When the evidence has not yet gathered sufficiently to suggest a confirmed extremist enterprise, the BfV must review specific conditions. The public will be informed of the findings regardless of election dates or the outcomes of elections.
"In our work, we adhere strictly to our legal mandate and not to election results," he underlined.
AfD officials with remarks against human dignity
The BfV declared in March 2021 that it was surveilling the entire AfD as a suspected case. Haldenwang stated "an increase in right-wing extremist streams within the party" had been observed since then.
Prominent functionaries in the east German states mainly represent the so-called solidarity-patriotic faction, which is marked by individuals such as Thuringia state chairman Björn Höcke. "Occasionally, party members speak out and try to counter this ethnic thinking," he assessed. This concept is absent in the party's core program. However, party representatives have made statements that indicate they're acting against the German constitution and the human dignity principle.
Efforts by the "New Right" faction to thrust their ideology into mainstream society are ongoing. "They wish to make what was once unthinkable thinkable again," elucidated Haldenwang. "This was present at a Pentecost party on Sylt, where racist chants were sung to the tune of Gigi D'Agostino's 'L'amour toujours,' and several young people vocally expressed 'Germany for the Germans - Foreigners out!' while singing. One man raised a gesture reminiscent of the Hitler salute." None of the spectators appeared disturbed.
The AfD secured 15.9% in the German European elections on Sunday. Its top candidate Maximilian Krah, as well as the number two on the candidate list, Petr Bystron, came under suspicion due to potential connections to pro-Russian networks, with Krah also suspected of connections to China. Before the election, the right-wing ID faction in the European Parliament had excluded the AfD. The newly-elected AfD MPs decided on Monday to not admit Krah into their group.
Russia has established a multifaceted shuttle of actors and tools to disrupt German society and political decisions. To hinder the infiltration of "traveling agents" from Russia, visa applications are carefully scrutinized — individuals known to the BfV and its allies will not receive a visa.
In the past, Russia has attempted to establish relationships with politicians, leverage them, acquire information, and persuade them to propagate Russian narratives in parliament and the media. "And now the suspicion arises that this tool is being utilized in such a way that, for instance, the internet platform 'Voice of Europe' was established and funded by Russian entities with the aim of winning over politicians for influence activities." Multiple criminal investigation authorities are examining this matter.
The website recently featured interviews with Krah and Bystron. The Czech newspaper "Denik N" mentioned in early April that there could have been cash involved with Bystron's situation, but the AfD Bundestag MP constantly denies this claim. Krah also refutes having obtained funds from "Voice of Europe" groups.
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The Protection of the Constitution is closely monitoring the AfD, a right-wing extremist party suspected of harboring extremist streams, due to its significant influence on the surge of right-wing extremism in Germany. In light of the ongoing observations and concerns, the BfV is conducting a fresh assessment of the AfD's status as a suspicion case to determine if the surveillance should continue or be terminated.
