Right-wing extremism and right-wing terrorism are the biggest threats to internal security alongside Islamism. This was recently made clear at a symposium held by the NRW Ministry of the Interior on the subject of right-wing extremism. More than 200 representatives from politics and society were invited. After NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul opened the conference, terrorism expert Prof. Peter Neumann from King's College London spoke about international references and developments in the field of right-wing terrorism. Dr. Christoph Busch from the North Rhine-Westphalia Office for the Protection of the Constitution then presented the new manifestations of right-wing extremism, which are aimed, among other things, at gaining a foothold in the middle of society. The so-called "New Right" in particular is attempting to break down the stigmatization of right-wing extremism, to "normalize" xenophobic and authoritarian arguments in political discourse and thus become accessible to broader sections of society. Ralph van der Lip from the NRW State Office of Criminal Investigation rounded off this picture with a comprehensive analysis of the relevant crime figures recorded. Dr. Andreas Hollstein, Mayor of Altena, described how a public official deals with right-wing extremist threats on a day-to-day basis from the perspective of someone affected.

Trends in right-wing extremism

The potential number of right-wing extremists in Germany currently stands at 24,100 people, including 12,700 violent extremists according to the security authorities. Right-wing extremism is also characterized by a high level of dynamism, which is characterized by three developments:

• Radicalization: One manifestation of radicalization is that right-wing extremists discuss the current political situation as an "end times and civil war scenario" and in some cases conclude that they need to prepare for this conflict. The constant repetition of enemy stereotypes and the racist escalation of social conflicts provide right-wing extremists with a justification for acts of violence. The murder of Kassel District President Walter Lübcke, the attack in Halle and the attack in Hanau emphatically demonstrate the extent of the current right-wing terrorist threat. And this threat has changed: From 1990 until the 2000s, right-wing terrorist activities or serious violent crimes motivated by right-wing extremism were predominantly carried out by ideologically consolidated groups or individuals who were firmly anchored in the scene. Since the mid-2010s, however, there have often been perpetrators with only minor ties to organized right-wing extremism.
• Demarcation: The "new right" is attempting to break down the stigmatization of right-wing extremism, normalize xenophobic and authoritarian arguments in political discourse and thus become accessible to broader sections of society.
• Virtualization: Right-wing extremism uses the internet and social networks by exploiting the viral possibilities for spreading propaganda and enemy images, for mobilization and for networking and organization.

What is being done now

NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul has launched various approaches for the early detection of right-wing extremist activities. For example, cooperation between the police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is to be improved and the analysis of data on this group of people intensified. A planned joint extremism and counter-terrorism center at the LKA will also serve this purpose. "The aim here is to identify potential perpetrators and structures and the risk they pose at an early stage," explained Reul. In future, a "state situation report on right-wing extremism" will also be created, in which all findings from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the police will be brought together and brought up to date.

Help to leave the far-right scene

The "Spurwechsel" (www.spurwechsel.nrw.de) program of the NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution enables people who want to leave the far-right scene to do so and supports them in leading a life free of punishment beyond extremism. Currently, around 190 people have managed to leave with the help of "Spurwechsel".

The abbreviation "VIR" (www.vir. nrw.de or www.im.nrw/vir) stands for "VeränderungsImpulse setzen bei rechtsorientierten Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen". This is an advanced training concept from the NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which is intended to enable full-time and voluntary workers who are in contact with this age group from the scene to approach young people at risk with brief interventions and make them reflect on their actions.