Golßen in turmoil: Citizen survey against AfD donations shows clear fronts!

Golßen in turmoil: Citizen survey against AfD donations shows clear fronts!

In the small town of Golßen, a citizen survey caused quite a stir. The focus is on the return of a controversial donation from AfD parliamentary group leader Hans-Christoph Berndt for the city festival. The result was clear: only 10% of citizens eligible to vote were in favor of the return, while an impressive 508 citizens voted against it. The voter turnout was at least 33.6%. While this decision is being debated, Berndt is perceived not only as mayor, but also as the founder of the right-wing extremist association “Zukunft Heimat”. This development raises questions about the political landscape and events in the region.

There was a stalemate in the city council meeting due to violent protests against the donation. Mayor Berndt, herself affected by the controversial decision, abstained from the decisive vote, which resulted in a citizen survey. This situation clearly shows how divided the local community is over the influence of the AfD. The CDU is also affected: It is planning a retreat to clarify its dealings with the AfD. There is already a division of power between the AfD and the CDU in Prenzlau, which worries many Democrats. They are struggling to find majorities for their values ​​in an increasingly confusing political landscape, especially when dealing with right-wing extremism.

Right-wing extremism in Germany

Right-wing extremism is not a new phenomenon in Germany, but a deep-rooted problem. This ideological complex includes currents that range from ultranationalist to fascist to neo-Nazi views. Right-wing extremists are often based on ethnicity and question social and legal equality. An anti-pluralistic, authoritarian understanding of society shapes their worldview, and the political goals are often aimed at creating an authoritarian “national community”. When it comes to the AfD, the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution is not squeamish: it classifies the state association as a “certain right-wing extremist effort” and sees Berndt as an important representative of the “New Right” who even questions the Basic Law. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution report also shows that the number of organized right-wing extremists in Germany continues to rise, which is alarming. At the end of 2024, the potential number of people for right-wing extremist movements was already over 50,000, of which 25,000 are active in parties such as the AfD.

Current developments and challenges

The numbers speak volumes: In 2024 there was a dramatic increase in right-wing extremist crimes with over 37,000 incidents, an increase of 47.4% compared to the previous year. Acts of violence, particularly against asylum centers and the LGBTIQ community, have increased. This highlights the challenges security authorities face. The latest developments in Golßen reflect the broad social debate that can be observed in Germany. While some citizens support the AfD's far-right views, there is growing resistance to these trends. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns that the right-wing extremist scene is becoming increasingly networked and is trying to spread its ideologies both on social media and through real youth activities, such as concerts.

Although the Golßen citizen survey represents a small decision for some, it provides a clearer picture of the larger political and social issues affecting the region and beyond. Politics must address these challenges in order to counteract future conflicts and the influence of extremist movements.

For more information on the developments and background on these topics, you can visit [rbb24](https://www.rbb24.de/politik/teil/2025/11/kommentar-buergerbefragung-golssen-spende-afd-fraktions Chairman-berndt.html), Wikipedia and Visit Verfassungsschutz.