Image: from WELT X @welt
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
Germany has recorded its highest number of right-wing motivated violent crimes in nearly a decade, according to new data released by the Federal Criminal Police Office, raising concerns about the growing threat of extremism.
Authorities registered 1,598 such incidents in 2025, the highest figure since 2016, based on data compiled up to January 31, 2026. The figures were disclosed in response to a parliamentary inquiry by The Left and reported by national media.
The increase continues a steady upward trend in recent years. Germany recorded 1,488 right-wing violent crimes in 2024 and 1,270 in 2023, indicating a persistent rise in politically motivated violence.
Most of the incidents involved assault or aggravated assault, though the category of right-wing violence also includes more severe offenses such as homicide, unlawful detention, and dangerous interference with public safety. Non-violent politically motivated crimes, including incitement and defamation of state institutions, are also part of broader monitoring efforts.
Ferat Kocak, a domestic policy spokesperson for The Left, criticized the government’s response, warning that the situation is more serious than officials have acknowledged. He pointed to several incidents over the past year that could have resulted in fatalities.
Kocak also expressed concern over planned reductions to the “Demokratie leben!” initiative, a federal program aimed at countering extremism through education and prevention. He argued that scaling back such efforts could weaken the country’s ability to address the root causes of radicalization.
The German government has faced increasing pressure to strengthen its approach to combating extremism, particularly as security agencies continue to monitor both organized groups and lone actors influenced by far-right ideologies.
The latest figures highlight the ongoing challenge for authorities as they attempt to balance law enforcement measures with long-term prevention strategies in addressing one of the country’s most persistent internal security threats.