Germany's security services warn of rising right‑wing extremism and AfD threat

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) released its 2025 report showing a sharp increase in extremist activity in Germany. About 58,700 people are now classified as right‑wing extremists, an rise of over 8,000 from the previous year, and roughly 28,000 of them are members of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which has grown to around 70,000 members. The report also notes growth in left‑wing, Islamist and foreign‑state espionage threats, naming Russia, China and Iran as major actors.

Authorities say the extremist scene is recruiting younger people, including through a AI‑generated Instagram persona called “Lara, the blonde rebel,” sold as a book on Amazon. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and CDU‑CSU politician Alexander Throm have announced reforms to strengthen the BND and the Verfassungsschutz, and a new hybrid‑threat centre is being set up.

The AfD’s electoral surge – 26 % in the latest Forsa poll, ahead of the CDU/CSU – has revived discussions about a possible party ban. An NGO’s AI‑assisted legal report and a SPD‑led expert study argue a ban could succeed, while the party remains classified as a “suspected right‑wing extremist” case. BfV president Sinan Selen called for a broader political view of the risk and for system resilience.

Overall, the report links the rise in extremist numbers to AfD growth, youth recruitment tactics, and heightened foreign‑state interference, prompting political, legal and security responses.