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Opinion | How climate migrants will impact Europe and help drive the rise of the far right
- The effects of climate change are pushing more people to leave Africa and the Middle East for wealthier, more temperate nations like Germany
- Governments must look to ease the financial burden and costs in key sectors such as housing, energy and heathcare to reduce the far-right’s appeal amid the influx of migrants
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The December arrests of 25 far-right members of the Reich Citizens movement sent shock waves across Germany and Europe. The group was planning to overthrow the German government and even install a new army to lead the nation.
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Among its members were several high-profile Germans, including teachers and judges. Despite these startling developments, it is also pertinent to remember that far-right extremism has grown significantly over the past few years in Germany.
This has best been seen in the attempts by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to enter mainstream politics. It was established in 2013 and, by 2017, had grown to be the third-largest political party in the nation with about 12 per cent of the vote share.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the AfD grew more conspiracist in nature, with increasing ties to former US president Donald Trump and groups such as QAnon, which is known for its propagation of extreme conspiracies. This included questioning the intensity of the virus as well as the benefits of vaccines. These groups are also known for their scepticism of the European Union as a political entity and their rejection of democracy.
However, what drives them most is their rabid anti-immigrant sentiments, coupled with rampant Islamophobia. The AfD and other far-right groups are linked to an increasing number of hate crimes against migrants, and specifically Muslims. Among the stated reasons for their growth is the disenfranchisement of the people and mistrust of the government.
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Germany arrests 25 suspected far-right extremists for alleged plot to overthrow government
Germany arrests 25 suspected far-right extremists for alleged plot to overthrow government
While the far-right’s actions cannot be justified, their concerns are legitimate and affect Germany as a whole. Three major interlinked crises illustrate these concerns. First, Germany faces a massive housing crisis, with rents having risen sharply in the past decade.
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