By John Q. Hosedrinker An exposé by Correctiv revealed a clandestine meeting in Switzerland between members of the German AfD party and Swiss neo-Nazi groups Junge Tat and Blood & Honour. The event, attended by AfD politicians Roger Beckamp and Lena Kotré, featured discussions about “remigration” and showcased the close ties between the AfD and extremist groups. Security measures, including ID checks and undisclosed locations, suggest the meeting was not as open as claimed by Beckamp. The neo-Nazi groups subsequently publicized the event online, further fueling calls for a ban on the AfD.
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The recent revelation of a meeting between two German Alternative for Germany (AfD) politicians and members of militant neo-Nazi groups in Switzerland is deeply troubling. The event, held near Zurich in mid-December, was organized by the Swiss neo-Nazi group Junge Tat and attended by members of Blood & Honour, highlighting a concerning convergence of far-right extremism.
The fact that this meeting wasn’t clandestine, as claimed by AfD politician Roger Beckamp, is alarming. Security measures, including ID checks and video calls to verify attendees’ political leanings, paint a different picture. The attendees, some sporting hairstyles reminiscent of historical far-right figures, were even shuttled to the event location after the canton of Zurich banned it. This level of secrecy and organization underscores the deliberate nature of the gathering.
The presence of AfD politicians Roger Beckamp and Lena Kotré, alongside members of the AfD’s youth wing, Junge Alternative, is particularly disturbing. Their participation lends legitimacy to these neo-Nazi groups, effectively normalizing their ideology and actions. The fact that Junge Tat handled registration and later boasted about the event on its Telegram channel further emphasizes the close relationship between the AfD and these extremist organizations.
The attendees included key members of Junge Tat, like Manuel Corchia, who was praised by Beckamp. Corchia’s history with neo-Nazi groups, including Eisenjugend, a group that openly prepared for a race war, is well-documented. The presence of Blood & Honour, an international neo-Nazi network with links to terrorist groups, only intensifies the gravity of the situation. The discussion topics, including “remigration,” a euphemism for the mass deportation of foreigners, clearly demonstrate the hateful and dangerous ideology shared by those present.
This incident is not an isolated event. Similar clandestine meetings between AfD members and far-right activists have occurred previously, indicating a pattern of collaboration and shared goals. This underscores a deeper issue: the AfD’s deliberate cultivation of its far-right base, whilst presenting a more moderate face to the broader public. The three faces of the party – the outwardly pro-business and national conservative face; the anti-establishment, xenophobic and pro-Russian social media face; and the secretive neo-Nazi face – allow them to appeal to a wider audience while remaining connected to their extremist core.
The fact that calls for a ban on the AfD are growing louder following the Correctiv investigation shows the level of concern across the political spectrum in Germany. This isn’t just about a party flirting with extremism; it’s about a party actively collaborating with openly neo-Nazi groups and promoting dangerous and divisive ideologies. The consequences of inaction are far-reaching and potentially catastrophic, given the historical context and the party’s rising popularity.
The potential for further radicalization and violence is a significant threat. The presence of weapons and the dissemination of extremist materials, including the Christchurch shooter’s manifesto, are clear indicators of this risk. The nonchalant response of the AfD politicians involved, attempting to downplay the significance of the event, is deeply troubling and indicative of their complicity.
This is not just a German issue; it is a European and global issue. The rise of far-right extremism and the normalization of neo-Nazi ideologies demand urgent attention. The international community must be vigilant in monitoring these trends and actively combating the spread of such dangerous ideologies. The consequences of ignoring this threat are too severe to contemplate. The lessons of history must not be forgotten.