Berlin: On May 29, 1993, a tragic incident unfolded in the western German city of Solingen, near Cologne, when five young girls and women of Turkish origin lost their lives in a neo-Nazi attack. The far-right extremists targeted the Genc family's home, setting it ablaze due to their Turkish heritage. Similar assaults on refugee homes were noted in other German cities like Hoyerswerda, Rostock-Lichtenhagen, and Molln.
According to Anadolu Agency, while relatives of the victims continue to fight racism and preserve their memory, German politicians have routinely visited the Solingen attack site for over 30 years. These events spurred fierce debates in the German Bundestag about asylum rights and anti-immigration sentiments. Although Germany lacked a far-right political presence post-World War II, the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has amplified racist rhetoric. In recent elections, the AfD nearly doubled its electoral gains, becoming the second-largest party in the Bundestag, closely trailing the main conservative party.
The expectation that neo-Nazis in parliament would reduce underground activities did not materialize. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany's domestic secret service, reported an increase in far-right extremists to 40,600 in 2024, a rise of nearly 2,000 since 2022. More than one-third are considered violent, with 1,270 right-wing extremist acts recorded. Racist offenses increased to 10,400, marking a 39% rise.
The 1990s wave of far-right violence wasn't isolated. The National Socialist Underground (NSU) murders between 2000 and 2007, primarily targeting people of Turkish origin, claimed 10 lives. In 2020, a racially motivated attack in Hanau resulted in nine deaths. Over the past decade, 100 mosque attacks have been registered annually.
The violence extended beyond racially marginalized groups. In 2019, the murder of Walter Lubcke, a pro-immigration regional governor, shocked Germany. Initially seen as a lone-wolf attack, the Ministry of Interior revealed in 2018 that far-right groups had compiled over 25,000 names on "death lists."
These groups often have specific targets. A transnational network named Hannibal, established in Germany in 2015, recruits former security service agents, soldiers, and right-wing individuals for a potential military coup, known as 'Day X.'
Far-right activities against minorities and marginalized groups, including Jews and Muslims, reflect declining trust in state institutions and rising support for far-right movements. The German state has placed the AfD under BfV surveillance, labeling it extremist. However, this may inadvertently strengthen narratives of state opposition and elite interests.
A more democratic approach to the AfD's rise would involve addressing root causes: political representation, poverty, social exclusion, and marginalized voices. A vision for a fairer future in Germany is essential to counter far-right momentum.
*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Anadolu's editorial policy.*