Nancy Faeser presents a ten

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Home Secretary Nancy Faeser

Photo: ANNEGRET HILSE / REUTERS

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) sees right-wing extremism as the greatest threat to democracy in Germany.

One recognizes a "brutalization and contempt for the state and democracy, which requires consistent action," she said in Berlin when presenting an action plan.

It includes preventive measures, the protection of victims and the fight against existing right-wing extremist structures.

"Our democracy is vigilant and defensive," said Faeser.

That is why the federal government wants to take action against right-wing extremist tendencies “with prevention and toughness”.

Identify and fight right-wing extremist structures more quickly

Essential points are the dismantling of right-wing extremist networks and the consistent disarmament of right-wing extremists.

According to Faeser, the federal government wants to identify and combat right-wing extremist structures more quickly.

It is important to dry up the sources of finance.

Festivals, martial arts events and shops for scene clothing are named as examples in the action plan.

Faeser presented the plan together with the presidents of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, the Federal Criminal Police Office, Holger Münch, and the Federal Agency for Civic Education, Thomas Krüger.

"Around 1,500 people who have been saved by the intelligence service as suspected right-wing extremists have at least one gun permit," says the catalog of measures.

"We want to change that." The federal government wants to develop procedures that make it easier to revoke or refuse a gun license.

prevention and victim protection

In addition, enemies of the constitution are to be removed from the public service.

"Whoever rejects the state cannot serve it," says the action plan.

He also addresses the topic of hate speech on the Internet and conspiracy myths.

“Conspiracy ideologies, with their anti-democratic populism, can be door openers for right-wing extremism,” it says.

With measures for political education and the strengthening of media competence, the Ministry of the Interior wants to counteract possible radicalization at an early stage in the future.

According to the action plan, victims of right-wing extremism should not be left alone.

"The Federal Criminal Police Office is working together with the federal states on the further development of strategic cooperation and the establishment of a special network for victim welfare," says the catalog of measures.

In addition, there is a reaction to the fact that officials and elected representatives are increasingly being targeted by right-wing extremist hostilities and attacks.

The corona pandemic has made this increasingly clear.

Accordingly, the number of recorded politically motivated crimes against local politicians has more than tripled in recent years.

It is no longer an isolated case, but a nationwide problem in all regions and in all city and community sizes.

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