Germany’s Far-Right Party Sees 77% Rise in Extremist Ties

Germany’s main opposition party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), is harbouring an increasing number of right-wing extremists, according to the country’s domestic intelligence agency in an interview with Reuters.

In its annual report, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution said the number of extremists linked to the party had risen by 77% over the past year, reaching around 20,000.

The warning comes just weeks after the agency officially classified the AfD as an extremist organisation, a move that allows for more intensive monitoring of the party.

The AfD, which came second in February’s federal elections, is challenging the decision in court.

Rising Extremist Crime Fuels Concerns

The agency’s report also noted a significant increase in right-wing extremist crimes across the country.

Authorities recorded a 47.4% rise in such offences last year, including six attempted murders and 23 cases of arson. This compares to four attempted murders and 16 arson incidents the year before.

Officials say the surge in political violence reflects a broader shift within extremist movements and warn of the growing threat they pose to public safety and democratic institutions.

The intelligence agency cited examples of xenophobic and anti-Muslim rhetoric by AfD figures, particularly during regional election campaigns in eastern Germany.

Migrants, especially those from predominantly Muslim countries, were often accused by party members of being culturally incompatible and inclined towards criminality.

Such statements, the agency said, are increasingly going unchallenged by the party leadership and in some cases amount to attacks on the constitution.

In one instance, Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD’s regional leader in Thuringia, told a campaign rally in August that the election could “lead to the collapse of the party cartel system” and “finally bring about something that is a real democracy.”

AfD Rejects Label, But Pressure Mounts

Despite the classification, the AfD has denied that it is an extremist party and insists the intelligence agency’s conclusions are politically motivated. It has launched legal proceedings to overturn the designation.

Nonetheless, the domestic security agency maintains that the party’s increasing radicalisation, coupled with a growing membership base, raises significant concerns.

It said many within Russia’s political elite no longer believe NATO’s Article 5, which guarantees collective defence, would be upheld in the event of an attack, and may seek to test that assumption.