“Liked” is obviously doing a lot of work here, but I found these interesting nonetheless:
1 Over the last two years or so, Germany’s premier far-right party AfD a) has become even more openly extremist and b) has been riding high and sometimes even topping the polls. Do you spot the apparent contradiction? So do the great minds at AfD HQ, who came up with the idea of “moderation” (there are simply not enough scare quotes on my keyboard). The New York Times has a surprisingly good article about what is going on. Should be free to read after registration. If that does not work, try this archived copy.
2 Did I say “more openly extremist”? Yes. Is that, just like my opinion, man? No. The federal party as well as some state chapters have been designated as right-wing extremist organisations by federal and state-level intelligence agencies. Germany being Germany, this is a highly decentralised process, and the AfD has many opportunities to fight these designations through the courts. And now they have just lost another lawsuit.
3 The “Citizens of the Reich” occasionally feature on this blog. Intellectually, I understand why this is a separate category from right-wing extremists. Politically, they are just that. Thankfully, the authorities are taking a harder line with them these days and have now arrested the members of a cell linked to the von Reuß group that plotted to overthrow the constitutional order.
4 Let’s end this with a heart-warming picture: German and Japanese nativists supporting each other. Just like the old days.
Discover more from kai arzheimer
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
