BERLIN: A recent report from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a center-left think tank in Germany, has unveiled a concerning surge in far-right extremism across the country. The findings come amidst growing apprehension regarding the threats faced by memorials dedicated to Nazi victims.
The report reveals that approximately one in every 12 Germans now adheres to some form of extreme right ideology, representing a significant increase compared to previous years. This shift is noticeable across different age groups, dispelling the previous belief that younger generations were more committed to democratic values. Notably, the study identifies rising far-right sentiments among middle-aged and young individuals, signaling a disturbing trend.
Franziska Schröter, a researcher at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, expressed concerns about this reversal, saying, “Young survey panelists who have mostly not experienced a war or the real threat of dictatorship in their lives, but who have endured a lot of crisis, seem to be leaning towards the idea that more dictatorship and less democracy could help get things done.”
Furthermore, Schröter highlighted an alarming trend among young people embracing sexism, homophobia, and transphobia, aligning with positions traditionally associated with the far-right.
Far-Right Extremism in Germany
This report follows the recent dissolution of the German chapter of the Hammerskins, a white supremacist organization with global origins, which was banned by the German government for its propagation of Nazi ideology.
The surge in far-right extremism is being observed in various regions of Germany and within different sectors of society. Far-right political candidates, especially those affiliated with Alternativ für Deutschland, are gaining popularity, while concerns have arisen regarding radicalized members within the armed forces and the police.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a role in intensifying interest in radical, racist, and violent conspiracy theories among Germans. Some of these theories revolve around the belief that secretive Jewish influence is taking control of Germany and the world.
Holocaust memorial sites have also faced increasing threats. The Foundation of Hamburg Memorials and Learning Centres, responsible for multiple remembrance sites, has reported a rise in incidents such as vandalism with Nazi-themed stickers and graffiti. In May 2023, a Danish visitor with explicit tattoos was removed from the Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial. Additionally, known right-wing extremists have attempted to film at these sites.
Oliver von Wrochem, the foundation’s director, emphasized the concerning trend in German society, stating, “This means that an important moral guardrail in our democracy is falling away. For the Foundation of Hamburg Memorials and Learning Centres Commemorating the Victims of Nazi Crimes, this means that we will position ourselves even more strongly in our work against current antisemitism, antiziganism [anti-Romani sentiments], racism, and misanthropy in any form.”
