"Could unsettle the population": Thuringia's Office for the Protection of the Constitution now openly warns of escalation of lateral thinkers

Created: 07/18/2022, 16:19

By: Victoria Krumbeck

Corona demonstration in Magdeburg.

There were riots between the demonstrators and the police.

© Bernd March/IMAGO

The consequences of the Ukraine war and the corona pandemic could mobilize radical forces.

The Thuringian protection of the constitution warns the population. 

Erfurt – Since the corona pandemic, radical groups have been increasingly on the streets.

Above all, the so-called lateral thinkers.

The Ukraine war is also polarizing in some places - and crises often strengthen radical groups.

Now the President of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Stephan Kramer, is warning of new escalations: Kramer sees dangers to internal security in Germany.

Thuringia's Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of massive protests

The President of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution described it as "realistic" that the demonstrations by lateral thinkers in 2020 and 2021 were a "children's birthday party compared to the coming autumn and winter." It was "neither serious nor helpful, horror scenarios every 24 hours to talk about or to spread fear," he told the

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The number of demonstrations has decreased, but there are still radicalized lateral thinkers.

"We can solve all problems somehow, I'm convinced of that," explained Kramer.

"But if the population's trust in the political leadership, democracy and our state erodes further or collapses, I don't want to imagine that - yet."

Kramer advocated dealing openly with information: "Nevertheless, it is precisely the task of the security authorities, first of all to inform those responsible in politics and then finally the public appropriately about their assessments and not to hide worst-case scenarios, even if they are might worry the population.”

War in Ukraine triggers new security problems in Germany

Kramer sees the gas emergency as a possible trigger for violent protests.

In addition to a lack of gas for heating, a collapse in industrial production could lead to dramatically high unemployment.

Due to the maintenance work on the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1, no Russian gas flows there anymore.

There is great concern that after the work, which will last until Thursday, the lines will remain empty and gas will be scarce.

Kramer warned that foreign and domestic forces are fueling the insecurity and fear in the population and converting them into voices and mood.

The AfD is also “right at the forefront”.

The party has recently also been observed as a suspected case in Baden-Württemberg. "So the initial solidarity with the Ukraine refugees is already falling noticeably in entire regions," stated the President of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

New corona measures could cause protests - the head of the secret service warns of empty promises

In addition to the gas emergency, a possible new wave of coronavirus in the fall could provoke lateral thinkers.

"Upcoming hygiene measures and a possible lockdown are increasingly encountering less understanding and open rejection among large parts of the population," said Kramer.

"It doesn't help if it is now promised to calm down that there will be no more school closures or lockdowns." Because that is "dubious and increases mistrust among the population," said Kramer in the

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