The number of right-wing extremists in Germany rose to 58,700 in 2025—an increase of over 8,000 from the previous year.
Berlin — The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has reported a significant rise in right-wing extremism, estimating that 5,600 of the current extremists have a propensity for violence. The agency also noted a concurrent uptick in left-wing extremist violence.
Growth Tied to AfD Membership Surge
The BfV attributes much of this growth to the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, whose membership climbed to 70,000 in 2025. The party, which came second in the 2024 federal elections with 20.8% of the vote (winning 152 seats), is now polling at approximately 40% ahead of the September 2025 state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. Such a result could allow the AfD to form its first state-level government.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned of potential violence during protests against the AfD's upcoming party conference in Erfurt, emphasizing that all protests must remain non-violent.
Radicalization of Youth
The BfV report highlights a concerning trend: far-right groups are increasingly targeting children and young people. Recruitment efforts are being amplified at far-right music shows, which reached a record number of events in 2025.
"Permanent Attack" on Democracy
BfV President Sinan Selen stated that German democracy is under "practically permanent attack" from both inside and outside the country. According to the agency, the primary external sources of intelligence activities against Germany remain Russia, China, and Iran.