A concerning trend of escalating right-wing disruption continues to plague Pride celebrations across Germany, according to a new report by the Berlin-based Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (Cemas). The study, detailing events surrounding this year’s Christopher Street Days (CSD) and Pride events nationwide, reveals that approximately one in five celebrations were targeted by counter-demonstrations and disruptive actions orchestrated by far-right and neo-Nazi youth groups.
Analyzing media coverage, online activity and direct observations of events, Cemas documented a rise in far-right provocations, although the average size of these gatherings appears to have shrunk compared to previous years. The report highlights Saxony and Thuringia as hotspots for these counter-demonstrations, with the eastern Saxon city of Bautzen experiencing an estimated 450 attendees at a right-wing mobilization.
The organization points to a deliberate and increasingly sophisticated mobilization strategy employed by these groups, primarily leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram to attract participants. Particularly notable is the amplified activity of “Junge Nationalisten” the youth organization affiliated with the far-right “Die Heimat” party (formerly NPD). This group, according to Cemas, is actively exploiting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment to garner support and project an image of spontaneous youth protest.
Analysts warn this isn’t spontaneous outrage but a calculated tactic. Joe Düker, a Cemas expert on extremism, stated that “behind the seemingly spontaneous youth protest culture, increasingly strategic efforts by established far-right structures are concealed”. He further emphasized the broader political implications, arguing that the groups’ actions are geared toward “attacking queer visibility and undermining democratic core values”. This coordinated interference poses a significant challenge to the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights and fundamental freedoms within Germany, demanding a critical reassessment of security measures and a stronger societal response to the resurgence of extremist ideologies.