Schuster: Germany has long played down left-wing extremism

In the opinion of Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU), left-wing extremism has been trivialized in Germany for too long. In contrast, the Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA) has conducted numerous successful investigations in recent years, he told the German Press Agency. "A change of course is not necessary in Saxony and we welcome the tone set by the new federal government. Previous governments could have had the same strength." However, Schuster did not want to speak of a new quality of left-wing extremism. "I would rather say that it has a new position on the radar screen."

Right-wing extremism remains the focus in Saxony

According to Schuster, right-wing extremism remains the focus in Saxony. "That remains our most important playing field." Fine adjustments need to be made here. "We are dealing with activists who are much younger than their predecessors. This is a new challenge for the security authorities and intelligence services."

In Schuster's opinion, the left-wing scene has been granted a kind of credit for too long. "There is often a kind of apologetic justification. Left-wing groups claim issues for themselves that are unquestionably for a good cause - such as climate protection or anti-Semitism. However, it is often overlooked that small left-wing groups drift into extremism and even terrorism through violence."

"Completely inappropriate treatment" of terrorists

He cited the attack on Berlin's energy infrastructure at the beginning of the year and the "completely inappropriate treatment" of third-generation RAF terrorists such as Daniela Klette, Burkhard Garweg and Ernst-Volker Staub as evidence of this. Schuster was alluding to the fact that the relevant investigations are not being conducted by the Federal Public Prosecutor General. Klette had received numerous expressions of sympathy and recently spoke from custody at the Rosa Luxemburg Conference in Berlin.

"There are rarely groups that go underground and do not become radicalized," said Schuster, referring to the activities of the so-called Hammer Gang around Johann G., who is now on trial at the Dresden Higher Regional Court. In any case, the fact that the Federal Public Prosecutor General regularly commissions the experts in Saxony with investigations speaks for the work of the Saxon LKA.

Stronger demarcation of the political left from violence

"I am seriously concerned that previously self-contained circles are becoming more interconnected and drifting towards terror," emphasized Schuster, referring to autonomous groups and violent left-wing extremists, for example. He would like to see the political left in local, state and federal parliaments distance themselves more strongly from violent groups. It is unacceptable for MPs to be the organizers of left-wing demonstrations that cause violence.

"The 'Left against Left' demonstration in Leipzig two weeks ago also made this clear. The political left has the really complicated task of building a wall against the extremists. This cannot be achieved with barricade speeches or demonstrations where slogans such as 'All Cops are Bastards' or even worse 'All Cops are Targets' are held up," says Schuster. The latter slogan is intended to legitimize officers as targets. So far, he has not been able to see that the left has sufficiently realized this task. There are still too many actions that may even exacerbate the problem.

Schuster attests to the Left's sense of reality in other respects

On the other hand, the Left had shown a sense of reality and responsibility when it came to drawing up the double budget for the Free State, for example, according to Schuster. "In a minority government, you have to remain capable of negotiating in all democratic directions. This also applies to the Left Party and we do this routinely. Anyone who wants Saxony to be governed from the center of parliament must also have an interest in our success as a competitor," concluded the minister.