Many German states are reporting an increase in far‑right incidents at schools. A survey conducted by “Welt am Sonntag” with the responsible ministries shows that while the data cannot be compared directly across states-because of different counting methods, observation periods, and reporting regulations-the trend toward a rise in such events is clear.
In Saxony, for example, authorities recorded 149 far‑right incidents in 2023, 155 in 2024, and a staggering 245 already in 2025. These numbers are based on “special occurrences” that school leaders report, such as “political or religious extremist interference” or “racial or antisemitic incidents”. Minister of Education Conrad Clemens (CDU) called far‑right extremism the country’s biggest societal problem.
Thuringia saw its cases grow from 113 in 2023 to 198 in 2025. Hessen’s reported incidents rose from 39 in 2023 to 159 in 2025. Berlin increased from 74 to 126, while Rhineland‑Palatinate went from 25 to 78 in the same period. Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania logged 235 reports of extremist or unconstitutional content during the 2024/25 school year-a notable jump from 195 the year before. In the current school year to date, 98 incidents have already been reported.
In Saxony‑Anhalt, police‑registered far‑right crimes at schools climbed from 74 in 2023 to 192 in 2024, almost a three‑fold increase. Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang (CDU) told “Welt am Sonntag” that incidents at elementary schools are especially worrisome, underscoring the need for early instruction in democratic values-not only at school but, more importantly, in the home.
Brandenburg’s figures illustrate the sharpest rise. The 2022/23 school year saw 117 reported cases; the next year, 560 incidents-nearly five times higher. In 2024/25, the number stood at 386. For the current 2025/26 school year, the ministry has recorded 109 cases in the first half alone.
North Rhine‑Westphalia relies on police data for its counts. The police logged 277 politically motivated crimes with “school/uni” as the location in 2023, 452 in 2024, and 461 in 2025, reflecting a similar upward trend.
