Germany’s chief of staff, Thorsten Frei, urges the EU to strengthen sanctions against Russia, advocating for measures such as halting gas and uranium imports and utilizing frozen Russian assets. He asserts that these impactful actions are necessary to pressure Russia, countering Putin’s perceived strategy of using time to achieve military objectives. Frei’s call follows the EU’s 17th sanctions package and reflects Chancellor Merz’s assessment of Putin’s lack of commitment to peace. Furthermore, Germany may increase military aid to Ukraine beyond the current €7 billion allocation.
Read More
Right-wing extremist ideology was the driving force behind the majority of politically motivated crimes in Germany, with a record high of 4,107 violent offenses—a quarter stemming from this ideology. This surge in political violence, coupled with a significant increase in attacks against politicians (8,034 cases) and antisemitic crimes (a 21% rise to 6,236 cases), highlights growing societal polarization and radicalization. Half of the antisemitic crimes were linked to right-wing actors, while officials also noted a rise in “imported antisemitism.” These trends, according to German authorities, underscore a serious threat to German democracy.
Read More
Three Ukrainian citizens were arrested—two in Germany and one in Switzerland—on suspicion of carrying out sabotage on behalf of Russia. The suspects allegedly planned arson and explosive attacks on German freight transport, potentially including an incident involving a DHL plane. The German Federal Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation, citing the case’s significance. The arrests follow warnings from German intelligence agencies regarding increased Russian espionage and sabotage activities within the country.
Read More
Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt banned the far-right “Kingdom of Germany” group, a major faction of the Reichsbürger movement, for establishing a “counter-state” and undermining the rule of law. Four arrests, including the self-proclaimed king Peter Fitzek, followed nationwide raids. The group, with approximately 6,000 members, is accused of using antisemitic narratives and refusing to comply with German authorities. This ban, which includes associated groups, aims to curtail the movement’s threat to German democracy.
Read More
Facing Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, Germany and its European partners will initiate preparations for a new sanctions package if a 30-day ceasefire isn’t implemented by Monday’s close. This decision follows a joint demand from several European nations for an unconditional ceasefire beginning May 12th. Spokesperson Stefan Kornelius confirmed that sanction preparations, alongside the development of a 17th sanctions package in Brussels, will commence immediately following the deadline. These actions are occurring concurrently with ongoing negotiations in Istanbul. Failure to achieve a ceasefire will trigger immediate action on the sanctions front.
Read More
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, officially designated the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a confirmed right-wing extremist organization. The AfD responded by filing a lawsuit challenging this classification, seeking to prevent the Office from monitoring the party as such. Prominent AfD member Björn Höcke further escalated matters by issuing threats against Office employees, though he later deleted his statement from X. This legal challenge and the threats mark a significant escalation of tensions between the AfD and German authorities.
Read More
Germany’s classification of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party as right-wing extremist has drawn sharp criticism from US politicians, including Marco Rubio and JD Vance, who described the move as “tyranny in disguise.” The German Foreign Office defended the decision, citing the BfV’s findings of the AfD’s exclusionary views towards certain population groups and its incompatibility with Germany’s democratic order. This classification, following a thorough investigation, grants authorities expanded surveillance powers over the AfD. The AfD, which gained a record number of seats in recent elections, vehemently denies the accusations, characterizing the decision as politically motivated.
Read More
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency designated the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist group due to its exclusionary rhetoric and attempts to undermine democratic institutions. This decision, granting authorities increased surveillance powers, sparked a diplomatic dispute with the US, with officials like Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio criticizing the move as undemocratic and tyrannical. The German government defended its action as a necessary measure to protect its constitution, citing the AfD’s growing popularity and extremist tendencies. The AfD, currently Germany’s largest opposition party, condemned the decision as politically motivated.
Read More
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization, prompting strong criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio condemned the decision on X, arguing it represented tyranny and that the AfD’s opposition to open border policies, not the party itself, was extremist. This classification follows a three-year investigation and a 1,000-page report detailing the AfD’s violations of constitutional principles. Despite this, the AfD, which won 20% of the vote in recent elections and enjoys support from figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, remains a significant political force in Germany.
Read More
Rubio condemns Germany’s decision to classify the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a right-wing extremist organization, characterizing the move as “tyranny in disguise” and urging Germany to reverse course. He argues that the AfD’s opposition to open-border immigration policies, rather than the party itself, is the truly extremist position. This stance ignores the extensive three-year investigation conducted by Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which culminated in a thousand-page report detailing the AfD’s violations of fundamental constitutional principles.
Rubio’s condemnation overlooks the fact that this is the first time in modern German history a party with nationwide representation has received this classification, highlighting the seriousness of the assessment.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood