27 January 2024, 13:46 GMTUpdated 49 minutes agoGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concerns about the surge in far-right extremism as his country observes Holocaust Memorial Day. He cautioned against “neo-Nazis and their secretive networks”, urging people to combat racism and anti-Semitism. Thousands participated in protests in Dusseldorf, adding to a series of demonstrations against the far right amid reports of senior members of the AfD being involved in talks on deporting citizens of foreign origins. Germany is currently debating whether to ban far-right political parties. In a prerecorded address marking 79 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp by Soviet troops, Scholz said: “New reports about neo-Nazis and their covert networks continue to surface. Concurrently, right-wing populists are gaining traction, stoking fear and spreading hate.” “However, we cannot simply tolerate this trend,” said Scholz, urging Germans to stand up against the far right and safeguard Germany’s democracy. “At this moment, our country is standing tall. Millions of citizens are taking to the streets in support of democracy, respect, and humanity for one another. Ultimately, that is what matters. It is the unity of democrats that fortifies our democracy. The confident display of it in public – as currently witnessed – is reassuring.” Scholz also praised a significant decision to reduce funding for the radical right-wing party, Die Heimat. Germany’s constitutional court ruled that the party should be denied further state funding and tax benefits traditionally provided to German political parties. This ruling signifies the first instance in which Germany has severed state financial aid to a party without banning it. Thousands of individuals participated in protests in Dusseldorf against far-right extremism. Germany has witnessed widespread demonstrations against far-right extremism since it was revealed that senior members of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) were present at a meeting where mass deportations of citizens of foreign origin were purportedly discussed. Demonstrators hope that the ruling on Wednesday will establish a precedent for addressing the growing support for the AfD, which is polling second nationally at over 20%. It is also leading in three eastern German states with just over 30% in polls, where crucial regional elections are scheduled for later this year.
