German ombudsman: 319 suspected right-wing extremism cases in military
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Eva Hogl, German parliamentary armed forces ombudsman, says right-wing extremism remains a concern within the country's armed forces.
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A German soldier holds his helmet during a visit of Governor Hendrick Wuest at the army base Field Marshal Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf, Germany, March 30, 2022 (AP).
German parliamentary armed forces ombudsman Eva Hogl announced on Tuesday that German authorities had discerned at least 319 suspected cases of right-wing extremism in the armed forces.
Although there were fewer incidents of right-wing extremism in the military in 2022 than in previous years, according to Hogl, the concern persists.
“Right-wing extremism is also a problem in the German armed forces. In total, 319 cases were reported last year. While the decrease is a positive development, this is an issue that should be closely monitored,” she said at a news conference in Berlin.
Furthermore, Hogl said the military is implementing new steps to address the issue, and individuals who violate these rules will be promptly dismissed from the military.
Half of Germans see far-right Reich Citizens as threat to democracy
A survey revealed in December 2023 that roughly half of the German population sees the right-wing extremist Reich Citizens' Movement as a serious threat to democracy.
The YouGov survey showed that some 53% of respondents believe that the Reich Citizens' Movement poses a threat to democracy, while 31% believe it doesn't, and 15% were undecided.
However, the survey said only a minority believes that the movement poses a threat to them personally, while some 63% said they did not feel personally threatened.
It is noteworthy that neo-Nazis, conspiracy theorists, and gun enthusiasts who disagree with the validity of the contemporary German republic make up the Reich Citizens' Movement.
Read more: German armed forces 'lack everything', even helmets: Commissioner
