Introduction
Germany's domestic spy agency has reported a notable increase in right-wing extremism associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the country's largest opposition party.Context
According to the agency's annual report, the number of right-wing extremists within the AfD surged by 77% in the past year, reaching a total of 20,000 individuals. This rise coincides with the party's increased membership and a shift towards more extreme positions. In February, the AfD secured second place in the federal elections, reflecting its growing influence.Developments
Last month, the agency classified the entire party as extremist, utilizing a comprehensive 1,100-page expert report that warrants heightened scrutiny of its activities. The AfD's rhetoric often contains xenophobic and anti-Muslim themes, frequently portraying migrants from predominantly Islamic countries as culturally incompatible and prone to criminal behavior.In state election campaigns held in eastern Germany last year, AfD leaders made statements that could be interpreted as assaults on the constitution. The agency highlighted a specific remark by the AfD leader in Thuringia, who claimed that the elections could "lead to the implosion of the cartel party system" and "finally bring about something that is a true democracy."
Notably, incidents of crime motivated by right-wing extremism rose by 47.4% over the past year. This includes an increase in attempted murders, from 4 to 6, and arson cases, which rose from 16 to 23.