German Minister of the Interior Warns of Growing Radicalization among Young Extremists
The German Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, has expressed concerns over the increasing radicalization of young people, particularly in the right-wing extremist scene. According to Dobrindt, the trend of growing radicalization is not limited to the right, but also observed among left-wing and Islamist extremists. The minister attributes the rise of political violence to a “mechanism of disruption in society.”
Dobrindt emphasizes the importance of local communities in preventing political violence, stating that people on the ground, such as those in schools, community centers and youth clubs, have the best chance of identifying and addressing the radicalization of young individuals. He also stresses the need for the state to take a proactive approach, using a combination of communication and education to counter radicalization.
The minister highlights the role of social media in the spread of extreme ideologies, stating that right-wing extremists are increasingly using the internet to promote their cause and recruit new members. He notes that the internet serves as a “networking space” for radicalization, recruitment and mobilization.
Dobrindt’s warnings come as the German authorities have reported a significant increase in right-wing extremist motivated crimes. The President of the Federal Criminal Police, Holger Münch, has also warned of the growing trend of criminal youth scenes with a right-wing ideology, stating that the internet plays a crucial role in the radicalization process.