In brief
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has revealed that far‑right extremist activity has increased to 58,700, a jump of over 8,000 from the previous year. The rise is largely attributed to the growing membership of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, which now counts 70,000 members and won a record 152 seats in last year’s federal election. The report also notes a surge in left‑wing extremism, Islamist terrorism and anti‑constitutional “Reichsbürger” groups, painting a picture of widespread political violence on both ends of the spectrum. As the AfD prepares for a controversial conference in Erfurt, Prime Minister Alexander Dobrindt has warned of potential protests, urging citizen resistance to remain peaceful.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has released its annual investigation report, showing a striking spike in right‑wing extremist activity. The agency’s data lists 58,700 individuals linked to extremist ideology, up more than 8,000 from the previous year, a trend that has left political observers alarmed.
The growth coincides with a surge in membership for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, whose numbers topped 70,000 in 2025. After last year’s Bundestag elections, the AfD secured 152 seats with 20.8% of the national vote—its best performance to date—raising questions about the party’s future influence within Germany’s political landscape.
The BfV’s report highlights that 5,600 right‑wing extremists carry a pronounced propensity for violence. It also flags a rise of 4,200 individuals drawn to left‑wing extremism and an increase in Islamist terror recruiters to 28,645. The agency stresses that all three groups—far right, far left, and Islamist—pose a serious threat to the rule of law.
In light of the AfD’s algebraic influence and the potential for flare‑up during its upcoming conference in Erfurt, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has cautioned that any protests must remain strictly non‑violent. The BfV has identified that the party still promotes “population exchange” and “Great Replacement” conspiracy narratives, implying a deeper ideological reach.
The report’s findings echo Prime Minister Dobrindt’s concerns about Germany being under a “practically permanent attack” from internal and external actors. His statement underscores the urgency of safeguarding democratic institutions against an increasingly hostile political landscape.
“Right‑wing extremism remains the greatest threat to German democracy,” said BfV head Sinan Selen. “We must remain vigilant against all forms of extremist violence.”
