The rise of influence of Nazi groups in Germany

In the Eastern German city of Cottbus, countless people packed into a small venue to listen to a man who once described himself as the “friendly face” of National Socialism (Nazism). The striking detail is that the room included two politicians running in upcoming state elections, both of whom have previous ties to racist groups.

All those present were there to listen to Matthias Helferich at a youth event organized by members of the leading far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The AfD has repeatedly denied accusations of extremism and links to Nazism. But the BBC investigated the backgrounds of the three men and found clear links between members of the AfD and far-right groups, some of which are classified by German authorities as anti-democratic or racist.

"AfD is now a threat"

Stephan Kramer, the regional intelligence chief of East Germany, told the BBC that the AfD now poses a danger to the "roots" of democracy, stating that the party is focusing on winning elections in the eastern states of Saxony, Thuringia, and Berlin this autumn.

Ahead of next month's European elections, AfD, surrounded by allegations of extremism and corruption, has seen a decline in polls but consistently holds the second position nationwide.

Anti-migrant

Matthias Helferich openly expresses hopes of “repatriating” millions in response to the “mass influx” of migrants from Africa and the Middle East.

However, he claims that no one who is in Germany legally will be forced to leave, but some may be offered the chance to return to their “home country” and “culture.”

“This is not about humiliating people or deporting them for racist reasons. It is about preserving Germany as a country for Germans.”

Another nazi sympathizer emerges

Another figure at the center of the discussions is Jean-Pascal Hohm, who holds several positions within AfD. Hohm is currently campaigning for state elections in Brandenburg, scheduled for September. It is known that Hohm has connections with a number of Nazi sympathizer groups, including the "Ein Prozent" (One Percent) association, "Zukunft Heimat" (Homeland Future), and the Identitarian movement known for supporting the "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory.

The Hitler salute!

Jean-Pascal Hohm was noticed in the crowd in 2017 when a group of football fans chanted anti-Semitic slogans. Some even appeared to give a salute resembling the Hitler salute. Regarding this incident, Hohm stated, "It was a Cottbus away game, and I am from Cottbus."

Benedikt Kaiser, who works in parliament for AfD MP Jürgen Pohl, appeared in the audience during Matthias Helferich's speech in March. 

An investigation by Die Welt newspaper found that Mr. Kaiser had moved in neo-Nazi circles between 2006-11, including at marches organized by the NPD, an ultranationalist party now known as Die Heimat (Fatherland).

In a photo that was later deleted from social media, he appeared to have been part of the far-right soccer hooligan group “New Society Boys” since its disbandment. The name, abbreviated as “NS” by the group, usually stands for “National Socialist” or Nazi in Germany. In a 2009 photo, three men behind Benedikt Kaiser are seen giving the Hitler salute.

Source: Newsroom