Swastikas and stickers on house facades, banned slogans, pupils in fear: the ideas of the far-right scene are increasingly noticeable in the Lusatian town of Spremberg. It is no longer acceptable to keep quiet about it - even if it damages the town's reputation, says the non-party mayor Christine Herntier. She therefore wrote to the citizens.
The extreme right-wing activities in Spremberg have increased dramatically over the course of the year, she told the German Press Agency. RBB had previously reported on this. Herntier is concerned: "Today they are sticking stickers, what will they do tomorrow?"
The town of just under 22,000 inhabitants, which also calls itself the "Pearl of Lusatia", is located in a mining region. Lusatia is in a state of flux due to the phase-out of lignite by 2038 - it is all about the energy transition, new companies settling here and the workforce.
Right-wing extremist scene has been active for a long time
But the problem of right-wing extremism is not new in Spremberg. Attacks by right-wing extremists were reported there more than ten years ago. In 2023, unknown persons also threw an incendiary device at a rainbow flag hanging from the belfry of a church.
Constitutional watchdogs repeatedly point to a right-wing extremist scene, particularly in southern Brandenburg. Recently, attacks on youth clubs, for example, have caused uncertainty in several places. In Burg im Spreewald, a teacher had already described how they were confronted with right-wing extremism, sexism and homophobia on a daily basis in 2023. They left the school. The incendiary letter at the time sparked a debate far beyond Brandenburg.
Lorenz Blumenthaler, who works on right-wing extremism at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, says that there has been a right-wing extremist "takeover" in Lusatia for four or five years. Right-wing extremists are appearing openly and trying to stir up insecurity. "It is admirable that the mayor speaks so openly about this and does not shy away from conflict," says Blumenthal about Herntier's letter, which was published in the city's official gazette.
Simson mopeds as a symbol of right-wing ideology
In it, the non-party politician writes: "How can it be that the popular GDR brand Simson Suhl has become a symbol of a backward-looking, and indeed very far backward-looking, idea? (...) How can it be that teachers and pupils from both secondary schools come to me, full of anger and fear, and tell me things that I didn't think were possible?" She was also begged "not to say anything". However, the right-wing extremist activities had become a threat.
"Spreading a cloak of silence" about it and pretending that everything is fine certainly strengthens this group, says Herntier. The mayor particularly mentions the small party Der Dritte Weg. According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, this party represents a right-wing extremist view of the state and society.
Social worker is aware of right-wing actions on social media
Social worker Benny Stobinski explains that "Heil Hitler" is shouted openly and the so-called white power salute is shown. This hand gesture is used in the far-right scene and, unlike the Hitler salute, is not banned. The pictures made the rounds on social networks. So far, they have not been roaming the streets with baseball bats, as Stobinski says. "But there may come a point when they start picking out marginalized groups to attack."
Herntier: The city can't solve this on its own
What can the city do now? There will be a security service, hints Mayor Herntier. She also wants to create "new meeting spaces", without naming the exact project. It is still in development, she says.
As mayor, however, she cannot tackle the problem alone. "The letter is aimed at many people," says Herntier. "I hope that people will recognize that this is not just an issue for Spremberg, but an issue that goes much deeper." The mayor would also like to install video cameras in hotspots, but says she is being held back by data protection issues. "A city needs help from the police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution."
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