The Daily The Far-Right Plot to Overthrow Germany’s Government
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Dec 13, 2022 Katrin Bennhold, the Berlin bureau chief for The New York Times and an expert on German politics, delves into the alarming Reichsbürger movement. She discusses a major counter-terrorism operation that exposed far-right plots to overthrow the German government. Bennhold highlights the intersection of historical grievances and modern conspiracy theories that fueled this radicalization during the pandemic. The conversation also draws parallels between German extremism and similar movements in the U.S., revealing a troubling global trend against democracy.
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The Raids
- German police launched massive raids across the country, arresting 25 people suspected of plotting to overthrow the government.
- The raids involved 3,000 officers and covered 150 homes, uncovering weapons, military equipment, and a list of political enemies.
Reichsbürger Ideology
- The Reichsbürger movement, central to the plot, believes Germany is not sovereign and seeks to restore the pre-1918 German Reich.
- This fringe group, initially viewed as harmless, gained traction by rejecting the legitimacy of the post-WWII German government.
2016 Wake-Up Call
- A 2016 incident where a Reichsbürger member shot and killed a police officer during a raid highlighted the group's potential for violence.
- This event served as a wake-up call, shifting the perception of the group from eccentric to dangerous.