Germany Reports Record 40% Rise in Politically Motivated Crime

Germany experienced a record 40% increase in politically motivated crimes in 2024, totaling over 84,000 incidents, driven by rising far-right violence, antisemitism, and political polarization amid elections and the Israel-Hamas war. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt highlighted that right-wing extremism accounted for nearly half of these offenses, including assaults on politicians, activists, LGBTQ+ events, and migrants, with violent crimes rising by 15%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) significantly increased its electoral support and was recently classified by domestic intelligence as a "right-wing extremist" organization, intensifying debates over banning the party. Dobrindt called for stronger law enforcement powers and harsher penalties for attacks on police officers as part of the response. The surge in crimes also encompasses anti-immigrant sentiments and left-wing politically motivated offenses, though the latter tend to be less violent. The increase reflects a broader societal radicalization and polarization, threatening Germany's democracy.