The Daily Day X, Part 5: Defensive Democracy
Jun 25, 2021
The podcast dives into the alarming rise of far-right extremism within Germany's military and law enforcement. It explores how historical lessons from the Weimar Republic inform today's protective measures against anti-democratic elements. The threats posed by the Alternative for Germany party are under scrutiny, with intelligence officials monitoring their activities. Discussions also emphasize civic engagement as a crucial strategy for safeguarding democracy in a time of escalating tensions and societal challenges.
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Reichstag Storming
- Protesters, including far-right members, stormed the Reichstag building in Berlin.
- This event foreshadowed the January 6th Capitol riot in the US.
Shifting Understanding of Extremism
- German military counterintelligence initially underestimated the far-right threat, viewing cases in isolation.
- They now recognize interconnected networks extending beyond the military, necessitating broader definitions of extremism.
AfD and Democratic Infiltration
- Konstantin von Notz links far-right infiltration of the military to the rise of the AfD party.
- He warns about the danger of anti-democratic actors using democracy to gain power and then dismantle it.