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The number of extremists in Germany is increasing, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency said on Tuesday, linking the rise primarily to the growing membership of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).<\/p>\n
In its annual report, the agency – formally known as the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) – estimated that 58,700 people fell into the category of potential right-wing extremists last year, 8,450 more than in the previous year.<\/p>\n
According to its own figures, the AfD had 70,000 members in October 2025. The BfV estimates that around 28,000 of these are right-wing extremists.<\/p>\n
The anti-immigrant party, Germany’s largest opposition group, has been under observation by the domestic intelligence agency for several years on suspicion of anti-constitutional activities.<\/p>\n
In May last year, the BfV upgraded its classification of the AfD to a confirmed right-wing extremist organization, saying the party “disregards human dignity” and threatens democracy. However, the use of the label – which would grant the agency broader surveillance powers – was put on hold after a lawsuit by the AfD.<\/p>\n
Several regional chapters of the AfD have also been classified as confirmed extremist organizations.<\/p>\n
The BfV classified 42,200 people nationwide as belonging to the far-left spectrum in 2025, up from around 38,000 the previous year.<\/p>\n
While far-left extremists have made headlines in recent months, including for attacks on electricity supply and rail infrastructure, experts regard the scene as particularly difficult to penetrate.<\/p>\n
The BfV report provides little insight into the perpetrators. It sees a likely network behind the so-called Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group), believing different groups use the name as a “label,” and writes that “links between the individual groups cannot be ruled out.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n