The number of far-right extremists in Germany has surged to nearly 60,000, according to a stark warning from the country’s domestic intelligence agency. The figure, which represents a 14% increase on the previous year, underscores the growing threat of right-wing radicalism in Europe’s largest economy. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution reported that 60,000 people are now classified as extremists, with more than half considered potentially violent.
The rise has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the lingering effects of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and the spread of conspiracy theories. Experts warn that the far-right is becoming increasingly organised and emboldened, with a particular focus on recruiting young people online. The news has sparked renewed calls for action from politicians and civil society groups, who argue that the authorities must do more to tackle the root causes of extremism.
'This is a wake-up call for all of us,' said a spokesperson for the interior ministry. 'We cannot afford to be complacent.' The report comes ahead of key regional elections in the east of the country, where far-right parties have historically performed well.
Critics say the government’s response has been too slow and too focused on surveillance rather than prevention. They point to cuts in funding for deradicalisation programmes and a lack of investment in community initiatives as evidence of a policy failure. The intelligence agency’s warning is part of a broader assessment of the far-right landscape, which also noted a rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes.
For many Germans, the figures are a painful reminder of the country’s past and a worrying sign of its present. 'It’s not just about numbers,' said a researcher at the University of Leipzig. 'It’s about the normalisation of extremist views in everyday life.
' As the country prepares for the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the shadow of the far-right looms large.
