welt.de
Rise in Right-Wing Extremism Poses Biggest Threat to Saarland's Democratic Order
Saarland's Interior Minister warns that right-wing extremism, with an increase from 340 to 370 individuals in 2024, poses the greatest threat to the state's democratic order, exceeding concerns about Islamism.
- How has the nature of right-wing extremism in Saarland changed, and which groups are of particular concern?
- The right-wing extremist scene is shifting toward a more action-oriented, less structured approach, with rapidly forming and highly mobile groups. The 'Der III. Weg' party is experiencing a surge, and the AfD's activities, including its online expressions of solidarity with völkisch-nationalist groups, are causing concern.
- What measures are being taken to counter the rise in right-wing extremism and what are the potential future implications?
- Saarland has increased its Verfassungsschutz personnel by 10 to approximately 100, focusing on early detection and countermeasures with IT specialists. They are also implementing social policy measures through the 'PuDiS' prevention and deradicalization network. The continued evolution of right-wing extremism necessitates ongoing vigilance and adaptation of countermeasures.
- What is the most significant threat to the democratic order in Saarland, according to the latest Verfassungsschutzbericht?
- Right-wing extremism poses the greatest threat. The number of identified and suspected right-wing extremists rose from approximately 340 in 2023 to 370 by the end of 2024, with 10 percent considered violence-oriented. This surpasses concerns regarding Islamism.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents the Saarland Interior Minister's assessment of right-wing extremism as the greatest threat, giving prominence to his viewpoint. While it also mentions Islamist extremism, the framing emphasizes the right-wing threat more extensively. The headline (if any) would significantly influence this bias. The article's structure prioritizes the right-wing extremism section.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, employing factual reporting. However, phrases like "Radikalisierungs-Spirale" (radicalization spiral) might evoke stronger emotions than strictly objective descriptions. The use of the term "gewaltorientiert" (violence-oriented) to describe a percentage of right-wing extremists could be considered loaded, though it's a term often used in such contexts. More neutral options could be "those suspected of involvement in violence" or "individuals with a propensity for violence".
Bias by Omission
The article omits potential counterarguments or alternative perspectives on the assessment of right-wing extremism as the greatest threat. It doesn't include statements from other political parties or experts who might offer different viewpoints on the relative threat levels of right-wing and Islamist extremism. Considering space constraints, this omission might be unavoidable, but it is a limitation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a potential false dichotomy by focusing heavily on right-wing and Islamist extremism as the main security threats, potentially neglecting other forms of extremism or societal issues contributing to instability. It implicitly suggests a choice between these two, while other threats might exist.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the rise of right-wing extremism in Saarland, posing a significant threat to the democratic order. This directly impacts SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), specifically target 16.1, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The increase in right-wing extremists and their potential for violence undermines efforts to build peaceful and inclusive societies. The growth of 'Der III. Weg' and the AfD's actions further exacerbate this threat.