Okay, here’s a rewritten and significantly expanded version of the provided article, formatted in Markdown and exceeding 600 words. It aims to provide more context, background, and explore the implications of the information presented in the original piece.
## The Shadow of the Past: Right-Wing Extremism Haunts Eastern Germany
This article originates from ZEIT am Wochenende, edition 18/2025.
A chilling wave of incidents is sweeping across eastern Germany, painting a stark picture of resurgent right-wing extremism and echoing the dark days of the 1990s. The details, increasingly frequent and disturbingly brazen, are raising alarm bells about the normalization of hate and violence in the region. From the Saxon Switzerland town of Sebnitz, where a roofer brazenly placed a racist advertisement in the local official gazette, to Oelsnitz, where a schoolteacher was forced to relocate due to relentless right-wing extremist threats, and Zwickau, where a birthday celebration was targeted by hundreds of far-right attackers, the evidence points to a deeply troubling trend.
These are not isolated events. They are the visible manifestations of a deeper, more pervasive issue: the growth of a right-wing extremist everyday culture, particularly in rural areas of eastern Germany. This culture, reminiscent of the "baseball bat years" ("Baseballschlägerjahre") of the 1990s, is characterized by open hostility towards minorities, foreigners, and anyone deemed "other." It thrives on fear, prejudice, and a distorted sense of national identity.
The parallels to the post-reunification era are particularly concerning. The 1990s witnessed a surge in xenophobic violence and right-wing extremism in the former East Germany, fueled by economic anxieties, social upheaval, and a lack of effective mechanisms to address the root causes of discontent. Young people, feeling marginalized and disenfranchised, were particularly vulnerable to extremist ideologies. Skinhead gangs roamed the streets, attacking migrants and anyone perceived as "different." The state's response was often inadequate, leaving many feeling abandoned and unprotected.
Today, the underlying factors that contributed to the rise of extremism in the 1990s are arguably even more pronounced. Economic disparities between eastern and western Germany persist, fueling resentment and a sense of being left behind. Globalization, immigration, and the perceived erosion of traditional values have created fertile ground for nationalist and anti-immigrant sentiment. The rise of social media has further amplified these sentiments, providing a platform for the dissemination of hate speech and the organization of extremist groups.
Compounding these issues is the recent decision by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz) to classify the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a definitively right-wing extremist endeavor ("gesichert rechtsextremistische Bestrebung"). This marks a significant escalation in the government's assessment of the party, which had previously been categorized nationwide only as a "right-wing extremist suspected case" ("rechtsextremistischer Verdachtsfall").
The rationale behind the reclassification is rooted in the AfD's consistent propagation of ideologies that violate human dignity and undermine the principles of liberal democracy. The Verfassungsschutz cites the party's rhetoric on immigration, its denial of historical atrocities, and its attempts to normalize far-right extremist views as evidence of its dangerous and anti-constitutional nature. The agency further contends that the AfD's organizational structure and its connections to known extremist groups demonstrate a deliberate effort to destabilize the German political system. The "extremistische Prägung der Gesamtpartei" (extremist imprint of the entire party) is therefore the reason.
This decision is not without controversy. Supporters of the AfD argue that it represents an overreach of government power and an attempt to silence dissenting voices. They claim that the party is being unfairly targeted for expressing legitimate concerns about immigration and cultural identity. However, critics argue that the AfD's rhetoric and actions cross the line between legitimate political debate and hate speech, incitement to violence, and the erosion of democratic values. The debate reveals a deep polarization within German society regarding immigration, identity, and the future of the nation.
The classification of the AfD as a definitively right-wing extremist endeavor has significant implications. It allows the Verfassungsschutz to employ more intrusive surveillance methods against the party and its members, including wiretapping, undercover operations, and the monitoring of financial transactions. It also gives the government greater leeway to restrict the party's activities, such as banning public rallies or limiting its access to public funding. Whether the party can be banned altogether is an ongoing legal and political debate.
Furthermore, the decision sends a strong message to German society about the dangers of right-wing extremism. It underscores the importance of vigilance and the need to actively counter hate speech and discrimination. However, it also raises the risk of further radicalizing the AfD's base and pushing some of its supporters towards more extreme ideologies and actions.
The incidents in Sebnitz, Oelsnitz, and Zwickau, coupled with the Verfassungsschutz's assessment of the AfD, present a grim picture of the state of German society. They highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of right-wing extremism, including economic inequality, social marginalization, and a lack of educational opportunities. It requires a multi-faceted approach involving government agencies, civil society organizations, educators, and community leaders. It demands open dialogue, critical thinking, and a commitment to upholding the values of tolerance, diversity, and human dignity. The baseball bat years must not be allowed to return. The future of Germany, and its commitment to democratic values, depends on it. The east needs more support for it's social structures and democratic commitment to reduce right-wing extremism.
