German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, marking Holocaust Memorial Day, expressed concern about the surge in far-right extremism.
He warned against “neo-Nazis and their dark networks” and urged people to combat racism and anti-Semitism.
Amid ongoing protests against the far right, particularly the AfD’s reported involvement in discussions on deportations, Germany debates whether to ban far-right political parties.
In a speech commemorating the Auschwitz liberation, Scholz emphasized the need to resist the far right, asserting that citizens rallying for democracy strengthens the nation.
He applauded a court decision to cut funding for Die Heimat, a radical right-wing party, marking the first such financial support reduction without a party ban. Demonstrators hope this ruling sets a precedent for addressing growing AfD support, currently polling second nationally at over 20%, and leading in key regional elections in three eastern German states at just above 30%.
