Far-right is a threat to German democracy, warns intelligence chief

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) – Germany’s intelligence agency chief warned on Thursday that the rise of far-right parties and movements is a serious threat to the democratic system.

"People have settled into their comfortable private lives and are not sufficiently aware of how serious the threats to our democracy have become,” said Thomas Haldenwang, the head of the domestic intelligence agency BFV.

“I hope that the middle of society, the silent majority in this country, will stand up, and finally take a clear position against extremism in Germany,” he told public broadcaster in ARD.

Haldenwang also warned that antisemitism is becoming more widespread in the German society.

“It is a disgrace, it is shameful how openly antisemitism is now being displayed in our country, where the Holocaust originated,” he said.

Last year, German authorities registered more than 2,800 antisemitic crimes in the country, including verbal and physical assaults, threatening letters, and arson attacks targeting synagogues.