Right-wing extremism in Brandenburg: peak in 2025 in the domestic intelligence report

According to the Head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the total number also includes all members of the Brandenburg AfD. The party and its youth organization Generation Deutschland are classified by the domestic intelligence service as central actors of right-wing extremism. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the AfD as securely right-wing extremist since last year.

Redmann warned of increasing radicalization of young people via social media. He called for restrictions on minors' access to such platforms. The development in the digital space has changed the recruitment patterns of right-wing extremist actors, the Interior Minister said at the presentation of the report.

Left-wing extremism and Islamism

In addition to right-wing extremism, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution also recorded increases in other areas of concern. The number of left-wing extremists in Brandenburg rose by around one fifth to 660 people. The number of Islamists grew by almost 16 percent to 260.

In contrast, a decrease was registered among the so-called "Reichsbürger" (Reich citizens) and "self-governors." Here, the number of registered individuals fell by about a third to 650. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution attributes this development, among other things, to consistent official measures, as stated in the report.

AfD classified as securely right-wing extremist

The classification of the AfD as securely right-wing extremist by the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution is part of a broader debate about how to deal with the party at the state and federal levels. Observers point out that the new categorization also has consequences for the domestic intelligence report itself, as the total number of party members will henceforth be included in the potential number of individuals.

The domestic intelligence report is published annually and forms the basis for security policy assessments of the situation in Brandenburg. The authority explicitly points out that the figures mentioned are minimums and that a dark figure cannot be ruled out.

Redmann announced that the findings of the report would be incorporated into the political work of the state government. The expansion of prevention programs and the strengthening of political education are necessary responses to the described trends, the Interior Minister said.

Radicalization via social media

According to Redmann, particular attention is paid to working with young people. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution observes a shift of radicalization processes into the digital space, where young people are specifically targeted. The state government is therefore examining concrete steps to make access to extremist content more difficult.

The development in Brandenburg reflects a nationwide trend. Other state Offices for the Protection of the Constitution have also reported rising numbers in the area of right-wing extremism in their past reports. The investigation of causes – from the role of social media to societal polarization tendencies – remains a central task for the coming years, according to experts.

At the presentation of the report, Redmann and Peters emphasized that combating right-wing extremism is the highest priority for the rule of law. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution will continue its observation of the scene with unchanged attention and will continuously evaluate future developments.