Germany’s Far-Right Comeback | NYT Opinion

Feb 22, 2025 | Germany is a world champion at confronting its own history. Through memorial after memorial, the country has attempted to atone for its atrocities during the Holocaust and World War II. “Never again” has become a nationwide slogan.

In this Opinion Video, the satirist Jan Böhmermann — think Germany’s John Oliver — argues that Germany’s repeated and increasingly hollow attempts to “remember away” its Nazi past have actually contributed to the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany Party.

Germany is holding federal elections this month and the threat of a fascist resurgence is knocking on the nation’s door. The AfD is projected to become the second-largest party in the German parliament.

Dark Past Returns: The Far Right in Germany

Feb 21, 2025 | "Dark Past Returns" is a powerful and chilling TRT World exclusive documentary that explores the rise of far-right ideologies in contemporary Germany. It examines the forces behind this extremist movement and its growing influence on politics today, revealing the lingering shadow of Germany’s Nazi history.

Niklas Frank, the son of Hans Frank, Nazi governor general in German-occupied Poland, offers a sobering perspective, stating, "We are about 82 million people, and I would say only 1 million of them are really true Democrats. The rest are nothing more than prepared to live in another dictatorship." This highlights the far right’s continued influence, particularly with the rise of the AfD. Through voices like Frank’s, viewers witness the ideological shift in Germany.

The film also exposes the AfD’s dangerous vision and its threat to Germany's democracy. Journalist James Jackson notes, "The AfD is the voice of Pegida … Islamophobia is at the core of their message," emphasising the movement's divisive rhetoric. As fears of migration rise, the film warns of the AfD’s potential to gain power. Niklas expresses deep concern, saying, "If AfD comes to power, they will for sure throw out all the migrants if they can."

TRT World’s documentary also investigates the contradictions within the AfD. Despite the party's manifesto explicitly stating, "Islam does not belong to Germany," Stefan Keuter, a member of the German parliament from the AfD, gave an exclusive interview where he claimed, "The AfD shares many common points with Muslims." He even described Bjorn Hocke, a key figure in the AfD known for his anti-Islam views, as one of the party’s best politicians. The question remains: what is the true face of the AfD?

With stark statements like, "The AfD doesn’t have an economic model … They are spreading lies and creating division," the documentary highlights how the far right manipulates fear and division in Germany.

Poland Urges Tesla Boycott After Musk's "Move Past" Nazi Guilt Comment | Firstpost Spotlight

Jan 29, 2025 | Poland Urges Tesla Boycott After Musk's "Move Past" Nazi Guilt Comment | Firstpost Spotlight | N18G

In Poland, outrage over Tesla owner Elon Musk's support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has now taken the form of a boycott call. After Musked called upon Germans to "move past" its Nazi history, Polish Tourism Minister Sławomir Nitras has called for a Tesla boycott. "There is no justification for any reasonable Pole to continue purchasing Teslas. A serious and strong response is necessary, including a consumer boycott," Nitras told Polish media. Last week, Musk virtually joined an official election campaign for the AfD, giving a speech in which he said Germany "focuses too much on past guilt," adding that "children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents or even their great grandparents."

As Trump Enters the Fray, the Danger Is that a Nationalist Europe Will Fragment, Not Stick Together

THE GUARDIAN: Rightwing leaders such as Meloni and Orbán set themselves up as Trump whisperers – but they only want to preserve their own interests

Afar-right wind is blowing across the Atlantic. While the rise of the populist right in Europe predated Donald Trump’s re-election, far-right parties, leaders and governments across Europe are being bolstered by his imminent return to power, and by Elon Musk’s rising political star. There is some hope that Trump’s presidency could have a unifying effect on Europe – and on issues such as defence policy, I believe it might.

Trump’s apparent disregard for international law, sovereign borders and the US’s Nato allies with his ludicrous threat, even before his second term begins, to annex Greenland by force, drew a swift and unified reaction from France, Germany and Spain, whose leaders made it clear that they are, as you would expect, appalled and standing with Denmark. Germany’s chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said Trump’s remarks had triggered “incomprehension” among European leaders.

But in areas such as trade, technology and space, there is a much higher chance that a more nationalistic Europe, confronted by a predatory divide-and-rule US, will fragment rather than stick together. And this is exactly what the Trump-Musk axis seems to be after. » | Nathalie Tocci | Monday, January 13, 2025

Isn’t it high time that God did His thing? – © Mark Alexander

Does a Second Trump Presidency Spell the End of Liberal Democracy? | Dominic Grieve

an 12, 2025 | "The authoritarians who are succeeding at the moment don't have the solutions."

Centrist politics will survive a Trump-led global shift towards populism but Western democracies must "wake-up" and offer workable solutions to the world's problems, says former attorney general Dominic Grieve.


If politicians want to take the wind out of the sails of the far right, they need to do something meaningful and serious about the inequities and financial inequalities they themselves have brought about in some case because of corruption and in others because of weakness and lack of spunk. – © Mark Alexander

Dramatic Rise of Germany's Far-right AfD Party Raising Concerns | Inside Story

Jan 12, 2025 | The AfD has become a major player in German politics in just 12 years. The far-right party has won over voters with its extreme views, from immigration to energy. It's candidate for Chancellor is promising mass deportations of immigrants.

Can Alice Wiedel help her party win more power in a general election next month?

Presenter: Laura Kyle
Guests: Olaf Boehnke, Director and Senior Advisor, Alliance of Democracies Foundation
Jessica Berlin, Non-resident fellow, Center for European Analysis
Ulrich Brueckner, Professor of European Studies, Stanford University in Berlin


Elon Musk is very unwise to foster the growth of the AfD. Has Musk no understanding of Germany’s recent history? Hitler casts a very long shadow over Germany, Europe, and the world. Hitler died, but his ghost lives on.

Is Elon Musk unfamiliar with Björn Höcke, who is a very prominent figure and who is the leader of the AfD in Thuringia?

Elon Musk is either ignorant (which I very much doubt) or is trying to shore up trouble. Whichever it is, it is bad news for Germany and bad news for Europe.

Manchmal ist Schweigen die beste Option! – © Mark Alexander

The Debate: Transatlantic Trolling: What Is Europe's Answer to Musk's Attacks? • FRANCE 24 English

Jan 6, 2025 | Elon Musk really doesn't like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This Monday saw Starmer hit back at Musk after days of silence, saying the world's richest man was spreading "lies and misinformation" with his attacks on the British leader and one of his ministers on X. More broadly, what is Europe to do about X owner Musk's trolling of sitting governments and support for the far right?

Austria's Far-right Freedom Party Leader Herbert Kickl Is Asked to Form a Government | DW News

Jan 6, 2025 | The far-right Freedom Party has been given a mandate to lead the Austria, after the collapse of coalition talks between centrists. President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked the Freedom Party's leader Herbert Kickl with forming a new government. If he's successful, Austria would have the country's first government led by the far-right since World War II.

Verwandtes Video hier.

Viva La Meloni: The Reign of the Far Right

Jan 6, 2025 | Report by Valérie Dupont, produced by RTS Radio Télévision Suisse

Italy ranks 46th worldwide for press freedom. The only European country on the list, Giorgia Méloni's Italy has no love for the press, not for progressive individual rights for migrant or LGBT people. Her direct communication via social networks highlights her ideological and societal battles, which perfectly fit the conservative tones of her tagline "God, Fatherland and Family".


Fascism is gaining ground right across Europe and right across America, too, alas. People never learn from the mistakes of the past. Regarding Italy, Giorgia Meloni hates gays, it seems. But this is to be expected, of course. After all, she is such a good Christian. The exemplar extraordinaire. – © Mark Alexander

Democracy under Threat? The Rise of the Far-right in Germany | DW Documentary | Reupload

Oct 8, 2024 | Support for the far-right is growing in Germany, raising fears of a new 1933 - the year Adolf Hitler came to power. Does the recent electoral success of the far-right Alternative for Germany party indicate the country’s democracy is under threat?

In the eastern state of Thuringia, the extreme right has become the strongest force in the state parliament for the first time in post-war history. The development has triggered comparisons to the rise of Hitler - it was in Thuringia that the Nazis first entered a regional government, just three years before Hitler took power nationwide.

Some Germans are concerned that democracy is hanging in the balance. Hundreds of thousands of people are now taking to the streets regularly to voice their support for democracy and take a stand against right-wing extremism. But is the Germany of 2024 really comparable to that of 1933?

This documentary explores parallels between then and now, and also looks at other events that took place in Germany in the 1980s and 1990s. Back then, neo-Nazis wanted to make the small town of Langen in Hesse the first "foreigner-free” town in Germany. After German reunification in 1990, right-wing extremist groups also became increasingly influential in East Germany. Is the AfD's election success a further step in the growth of the far-right in Germany and a threat to democracy?

Behind German Far-right Party AfD's 'No to Ukraine' in the EU

Jul 1, 2024 | A leading figure of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party told DW News that Ukraine should not join the European Union. Beatrix von Storch also called for a halt to German weapon deliveries to Kyiv, an end to the fighting in Ukraine and the start of negotiations with Russia to cease hostilities.

The AfD deputy parliamentary group leader also shared her views on transgender rights, the results of the recent EU parliamentary elections and the upcoming regional elections in eastern Germany, where the AfD is projected to gain ground.

DW’s Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner spoke to von Storch at an AfD party convention in the German town of Essen.

Will Macron’s Snap Election Gamble Backfire? | DW News

June 28, 2024 | France goes to the polls on Sunday in snap parliamentary elections. President Emmanuel Macron called the vote in response to his party's dismal showing in the European elections earlier this month. It's a gamble for Macron. He hopes to see off right-wing opponents - but may end up losing power. We spoke to DW’s correspondent Sonia Phalnikar in Paris about what's at stake for France.

Le Pen Claims Far Right Will Win Majority and Take Over Some Military Decisions

THE GUARDIAN: National Rally leader says Macron ‘won’t have choice’ but to appoint her protege as PM and he would make decisions on Ukraine support

Marine Le Pen has said she expects her far-right National Rally (RN) party to win an absolute majority in France’s general election, form a government and take over at least some defence and armed forces decision-making – including on Ukraine.

France’s constitution states that the president is head of the armed forces and chairs France’s national defence committees, but also that the prime minister is “responsible for national defence”, leaving the precise role of the premier open to interpretation. » | Jon Henley in Paris | Thursday, June 27, 2024

Why the Far Right Is Surging in Europe | FT Film

May 24, 2024 | The European Parliament has been a coalition of centre-left and centre-right delegates for decades. But elections in June could deliver more far right MEPs than ever before. Their success could influence EU policy on everything from immigration to agriculture and the energy transition. The FT speaks to politicians and voters across the continent to reveal the causes and potential impact

German Mainstream Scramble to Thwart Rising Popularity of the Far Right | DW News

Jan 27, 2024 | The Alternative for Germany (AfD), which the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has partially classified as right-wing extremist, is enjoying record highs in opinion polls. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against the anti-immigration party.

The German Bundestag is also debating how to deal with the AfD, with the three governing parliamentary factions — the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP)— submitting a motion on the issue. The topic: "Resilient democracy in a diverse country — a clear stand against the enemies of democracy and their plans of forced displacement."

The move was prompted by a media report about a meeting last fall of right-wing extremists, attended by AfD officials as well as members of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The gathering is said to have been about plans for the so-called remigration, or expulsion, of millions of people who have immigrated to Germany.

In the parliamentary debate, Bernd Baumann, the AfD's parliamentary secretary and chief whip in the German parliament, told lawmakers the meeting was no more than a "small, private debate club," but not a "secret meeting dangerous to the public."

But Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) called it "an active effort to shift borders and to spread contempt for democracy and misanthropy into the heart of society." Faeser said she could also imagine banning the party — but only as a last resort.

The Far Right in the US and Europe | The Politics of Hate (2017) | Full Film

Jan 26, 2024 | At 16 he became the leader of the Chicago Area Skinheads, later a white supremacist punk band. But when Christian Picciolini started a family, he began questioning his far right views. This timely doc explores a changing Western political climate, chronicling the rise of the far right in the US and Europe, and giving alarming insights into the ways the alt-right movement operates.

Thousands across Austria Take Part in Protests against Far Right

GUARDIAN EUROPE: ‘Defend democracy’ events were planned for Innsbruck, Salzburg and in front of parliament building in Vienna

Thousands of Austrians have taken to the streets of the country’s three largest cities, in a spillover of protests over the rise of the far right in neighbouring Germany.

Under the slogan “defend democracy”, gatherings organised by a broad alliance of civil society organisations, NGOs, political groups, church communities and trade unions took place in Innsbruck, Salzburg, and in front of the parliament building in Vienna.

The demonstrations follow days of protests in villages, towns and cities across Germany, where more than a million people from a broad cross-section of society turned out over the past two weeks despite the cold weather and a rail strike. They have been demonstrating against the rise of the far right, in particular the populist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party after its members met the far-right Austrian Martin Sellner to discuss the mass deportation of foreigners and German citizens of foreign origin. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Friday, January 26, 2024

Germany Cracks Down on Another Far-Right Group

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The raids were the second such action in about a week and came about 10 months after the authorities foiled what they described as a far-right plot to topple the government.

A raid on a property in Essen, Germany, on Wednesday belonging to a suspected member of a far-right group. | Friedemann Vogel/EPA, via Shutterstock
The authorities in Germany on Wednesday banned a relatively small far-right group and raided the homes of its members in a coordinated sweep, the latest in a series of moves against extremist organizations in the country.

The crackdown is the second such action taken in the past several days. The latest group targeted, called Artgemeinschaft, was described by the authorities as racist and antisemitic, and promoted a white supremacist ideology, including advocating white-only families.

In Germany, it is illegal to display or promote Nazi ideology or other antisemitic views.

About a week ago, the authorities carried out similar raids against another racist far-right group, called the Hammerskins, a violent neo-Nazi organization that originated in the United States in the 1980s.

The latest crackdowns come nearly 10 months after the authorities foiled what they described as a far-right plot to topple the democratically elected government in Germany and replace it with a group led by an obscure prince. » | Aishvarya Kavi and Christopher F. Schuetze, Aishvarya Kavi reported from Berlin, and Christopher Schuetze from Munich. | Wednesday, September 27, 2023

What the Collapse of Spain’s Far Right Means Going Forward

THE NEW YORK TIMES: About the only thing clear from Spain’s muddled election results was that Spaniards were turning away from the political extremes.

Supporters of the Spanish far-right Vox party gather outside the party headquarters in Madrid after Spain’s general election on Sunday. | Thomas Coex/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Europe’s liberal and moderate establishment breathed easier on Monday after Spain’s nationalist Vox party faltered in Sunday’s elections, stalling for now a surge from far-right parties around the continent that seemed on the brink of washing over even the progressive bastion of Spain.

“A relief for Europe,” read a front-page headline in the liberal La Repubblica in Italy, where the hard-right leader Giorgia Meloni became prime minister last year and predicted “the hour of the patriots has arrived” in a video message to her Vox allies this month.

But instead of Vox becoming the first hard-right party to enter government in Spain since the end of the Franco dictatorship nearly 50 years ago, as many polls had predicted, it sank. The party’s poor returns at the polls also took down the underperforming center-right conservatives who had depended on Vox’s support to form a government.

As a result, no single party or coalition immediately gained enough parliamentary seats to govern, thrusting Spain into a familiar political muddle and giving new life to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who only days ago seemed moribund. Suddenly, Mr. Sánchez appeared best positioned to cobble together another progressive government in the coming weeks to avoid new elections. » | Jason Horowitz, Reporting from Madrid and Barcelona | Monday, July 24, 2023

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Poland Was Headed to the Far Right. Then Russia Invaded Ukraine

Jun 13, 2023 | For several years, Poland’s government was veering further to the right with its anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant and anti-European policies. Then Russia invaded Ukraine and it became home to refugees and a route for Western weapons, which CBC’s Terence McKenna found out put the country at a political crossroads. NOTE: At 9:28 in this video Adam Reichardt's name is misspelled.