Hybrid threats in Suhl: The Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of extremism!

Hybrid threats in Suhl: The Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of extremism!

An insightful lecture by the head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Stephan Kramer, took place in Suhl today, dealing with the explosive topic of “Hybrid Threats – Enemies from Outside and Within”. The organizer was the adult education center, which made an important contribution to political education. In his speech, Kramer spoke about the increasing threats that come from both extremist circles within Germany and from outside. A particularly highlighted current topic was the threat posed by disinformation, sabotage and espionage, which can undermine trust in democratic institutions. It is crucial to recognize these challenges and address them together to maintain the stability of our society.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is not only confronted with threats from outside. More and more internal dangers are being identified, which appear either violent or legalistic. The highest alert level is particularly high in view of the growing polarization and willingness to use violence on the fringes of society. According to Kramer's statements, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution will continue to monitor closely in order to be able to react to any abnormalities in a timely manner. This is done to protect the free and democratic basic order, which, according to the lessons of history, is of crucial importance. In the past, Germany had to endure the painful experience of how extremist forces threatened democracy in the Weimar Republic and during National Socialism.

The role of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Kramer emphasized that the task of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution goes far beyond mere observation. Insights are collected that are ultimately passed on to policymakers and law enforcement to enable effective action. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has repeatedly come under criticism because of its observations, particularly from political groups such as the AfD and certain left-wing movements. They accuse the authority of acting too politically. But the authority backs away from these allegations with a clear reference to the legal basis of its work, which is aimed at protecting democratic society and not politicizing it, as MDR recently reported.

One of the central tasks of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution includes monitoring extremist-motivated efforts. These are set out in the Federal Constitutional Protection Act and are intended to ensure that democratic values, such as human dignity and the rule of law, are permanently protected. This ensures that radical opinions are permitted within democratic discourse as long as they do not become extremist. The authority acts as an early warning system that keeps a close eye on efforts that could endanger the state structure.

A dangerous game with people's fears

In the context of these challenges, Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke, who was only mentioned once during the lecture, received personal protection because of the threat to his safety. Such precautions are not uncommon among democratically elected politicians, but they also highlight the tense situation in which we find ourselves. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution must find the balance here – between the necessary protection of political actors and the preservation of personal freedom.

The world is becoming increasingly complex and it is important that citizens are informed about these issues and actively participate in the political discourse. This is the only way a pluralistic and democratic society can continue to exist. A circumstance that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution also takes seriously, as explained in the Information on the defense of democracy. It is important to be vigilant and defend yourself against any form of threat.