Friday, September 14, 2018

The Rise of the Far-right in Germany


Nowhere is the rise of the far right more poignant and alarming than in Berlin, Europe's powerhouse. This city is pockmarked with the bitter lessons of history.

Germany has worked hard at what they call "Vergangenheitsbewältigung", or overcoming the past.

There are strict laws against hate crimes. And yet the city of Chemnitz saw mass rallies with neo-Nazi overtones in August and last week there were similar but smaller marches in Köthen.

What's more, the anti-immigrant AFD is now the official opposition party in the Bundestag with 92 MPs. They deny any links with extremists but we spoke to one extreme right-wing leader who believes it opens doors to his kind of views.

This film shows the extent to which fringe figures now feel they can speak out and also the public following they are gaining. It also contains themes some may find offensive.