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Mayor sounds the alarm: Spremberg is suffering from neo-Nazi influence!
Mayor Herntier warns of right-wing extremist tendencies in Spremberg and calls for measures to be taken against increasing threats.
Mayor sounds the alarm: Spremberg is suffering from neo-Nazi influence!
In Spremberg, a town in the heart of Lusatia with around 22,000 inhabitants, Mayor Christine Herntier is sounding the alarm. Right-wing extremist activities are getting out of hand, and the visibility of slogans and symbols such as swastikas is becoming increasingly worrying. The mayor calls for an end to looking the other way and emphasizes that the situation is not just a local challenge, but is a deeper social problem. These fears are reinforced by reports from students who feel threatened in the current situation. As [Welt](https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article687a55983511bc17ac86edcd/spremberg-in-der-lausitz-da-muss-einer-stadt-geholfen- Werden-buergermeisterin-schlaegt-alarm-wegen-nazis.html) reports, Herntier expresses her concern about the increase in right-wing extremist activity this year 2023.
Right-wing extremism is not a new phenomenon in Spremberg. The city has been confronted with this problem for over ten years. There have been repeated aggressive incidents, such as an attack in 2023 in which an incendiary device was thrown at a rainbow flag. The official German organization for the protection of the constitution also warns of an active right-wing extremist scene in southern Brandenburg. In light of these worrying developments, the mayor has outlined plans for security services and new meeting spaces, but finds herself restricted by data protection regulations when it comes to installing video cameras.
Right-wing extremist threats in everyday life
The atmosphere in the city is characterized by an increasing threat. Teachers and students report directly experiencing threats and a general feeling of insecurity. “Heil Hitler” rings out as a blatant slogan on the streets. The small party The Third Way is often identified as right-wing extremist and contributes to the ominous atmosphere in Spremberg. The director of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, Lorenz Blumenthaler, describes the developments as a kind of right-wing extremist “land grab” in the region and warns of the effects on social coexistence. According to Spiegel, these threats must be taken seriously in order to ensure cohesion in the city.
A worrying trend
But the developments are not only alarming in Spremberg. A look at the figures from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution shows a drastic increase in right-wing extremist crimes in 2024. Over 37,000 registered crimes, an increase of 47.4% compared to the previous year, are a clear indication that the problem is more pressing than ever. Xenophobic acts of violence are particularly affected, of which 983 were recorded in the previous year - an increase of 5.4% compared to 2023. The increase in right-wing potential to around 50,250 people in 2024 is also alarming and indicates growing radicalization. The Verfassungsschutz also provides information on this.
Overall, it should be noted that the situation in Spremberg is a reflection of a larger problem in Germany. Right-wing violence and its actors are increasing. Mayor Herntier and many of the city's citizens are making every effort to counteract this, but it is unclear whether these measures will be enough. It takes decisive action from politicians, civil society and everyone who advocates peaceful coexistence.