Germany will intensify its counter-extremism policy

Subject

Germany's far-right threat.

Significance

The June 2 assassination of Walter Luebcke, a regional administrative chief in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, is emblematic of the rise of far-right violence in Germany. Movements and 'echo chambers' that feed on the unintended consequences of the 2015-16 migration crisis are coming under greater scrutiny by German law enforcement.

Impacts

• Greater government powers over digital intelligence may lead to a clash between SPD-run justice ministry and the CSU-run interior ministry.
• Following the AfD’s strong results in recent state elections, conflict between its conservative and far-right elements will likely increase.
• If far-right elements prevail in the AfD, this could expose the party electorally and make cooperation with other parties impossible.