Right-wing extremism in Brandenburg: memories and current warnings

Right-wing extremism in Brandenburg: memories and current warnings

In recent years, the social relevance of right-wing extremist ideologies has increased in Germany and especially in Cologne. The author of a recent article in the Jewish general describes her personal experiences with neo-Nazism, which began in her childhood. When she was just six years old, she saw her first neo-Nazi march in Frankfurt (Oder) and heard slogans like “Foreigners out!” These experiences shaped her view of a society in which right-wing extremist statements were not only tolerated but treated as legitimate opinions.

Still, it's worth noting that far-right influence is not new. If you look back at history, it becomes clear that after the end of the Second World War and the dissolution of the NSDAP by the Allied Control Council in October 1945, the issue of Nazism was officially considered "overcome", but it continued to become visible in various forms. The founding of extremist parties and groups in the following decades shows that the spirit of National Socialism was never completely expelled. In 2025, the AfD was finally officially classified as a right-wing extremist, which illustrates the seriousness of the situation.

From childhood to the present

The author also reflects on her childhood. Her parents, who reported on the Holocaust, assured her that there were no longer any Nazis in Germany. But the reality was different. At school she learned that “Jew” was a dirty word and that foreigners were often seen as society’s scapegoats. These experiences are not isolated cases, but part of a larger social problem that is not discussed enough in schools.

It is also interesting to observe that the AfD was perceived as “concerned citizens” for a long time. Many people who voted for the party were not perceived as extremist. The state association of the AfD in Brandenburg has been under surveillance by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution since 2020, which underlines the dangerous nature of these groups.

Real protest and ignorance

Few still raise their voices against such extremist movements. The author describes a key scene from her childhood: Only one person protested against the neo-Nazi march. Years later, she developed a deep distaste for the hypocrisy of politicians who laid wreaths at Nazi commemorations while simultaneously espousing populist and inhumane views. Here the author sees the need to counteract these trends and not provide support to the right-wing extremist forces.

The current threat posed by neo-Nazi ideologies should not be underestimated. Since the 1950s, new groups representing similar ideologies have formed in many European countries. A connection is often drawn to historical fascist movements, as shown by the history of the pan-European nationalists who became active in various countries such as Italy and Hungary. The spread of these ideologies through social media has facilitated the recruitment and propaganda of neo-Nazis worldwide, such as the Wikipedia determines.

It remains to be hoped that the public and politicians will finally recognize the seriousness of the situation and take action against these dangerous currents. It is important to set an example and show that racism and inhumanity have no place in our society.