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Violent German Far-Right Groups' Recruitment Aided By Lockdown Frustrations

Jamie Dettmer

   Violent far-right groups are using rising frustration with pandemic
   lockdowns in their recruitment efforts, German officials fear.

   Germany's domestic intelligence agency is closely monitoring protesters
   of coronavirus restrictions, worried that the influence of militants,
   including Nazi admirers, ultranationalists and Holocaust deniers, is
   growing.

   While Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seen a
   precipitous slump in its poll ratings since the pandemic struck -- the
   party was polling at just 9% of support last month -- officials say
   violent right-wing extremists, united in their opposition to what they
   say are illegitimate curbs on freedom, are gaining a boost from the
   coronavirus and strengthening their mobilization around anti-government
   conspiratorial narratives.

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