More extremists dropping out - number of cases doubled

The Saxon dropout program for extremists assisted 18 people last year. 15 of these were right-wing extremists, two cases involved exiting the left-wing extremist scene and one case involved Islamism. This is according to the answer to a question from MP Juliane Nagel (Left Party) in the state parliament. "The demand has doubled compared to previous years, with nine new cases of leaving the scene being included in the program in both 2023 and 2024."

Families and friends of those affected also asked for help

Since 2021, the program has advised a total of 52 people who wanted to leave the scene, 40 of whom came from the far-right, said Nagel. In addition, there were 87 cases in which relatives and friends asked for help. The program also provided support in 78 cases for professionals and institutions - such as associations, schools and companies.

Individual counselling for young people from the neo-Nazi scene

Young people from the neo-Nazi scene have recently been offered individual counselling. "The aim of the service is to interrupt or prevent radicalization processes, to enable young people to distance themselves from neo-Nazi attitudes, behaviour and scenes and to develop non-violent and non-punitive behaviour, impulse control and discourse skills. The aim is to promote perspectives and social contacts outside of the scene," the Ministry of the Interior announced.

"Even if I personally am not convinced by every one of the stories of people leaving the scene that are occasionally made public, we should be happy about everyone who has left," Nagel explained. Anyone who really leaves the extreme right behind weakens this scene. The dropout program works.