Germany reports record rise in extremist individuals, links many to AfD

Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) released its 2025 annual report, finding the highest ever number of people with extremist tendencies. The count of individuals with right‑wing extremist views rose to 58,700, up from 50,250 in 2024, and 15,600 are assessed as prone to political violence, an increase from 15,300 the year before. Violent acts by far‑right actors grew 8.9% in 2025. Left‑wing extremism also expanded, with 42,200 adherents and 11,600 identified as violent, the most on record. The report highlights a growing willingness among youth – including minors – to engage in politically motivated violence.

The BfV classifies the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a “suspected extremist organization.” Party membership reached about 70,000 in 2025, with 28,000 members under surveillance, and the agency notes that many right‑wing extremists are linked to the AfD. No new groups were added to the watch list, though Austrian broadcaster AUF1 was upgraded to a verified right‑wing extremist organization. Internal‑security minister Alexander Dombrin warned of possible information leaks about far‑right extremists and Russian espionage amid the war in Ukraine. The threat of Islamist terrorism was also described as “persistently high.”