Warning of AfD growth after Solingen's presumed terrorist attack

Warning of AfD growth after Solingen's presumed terrorist attack

In an interview recently broadcast on the public service television station Phoenix, the sociologist and right-wing extremist researcher Matthias Quent warned of the political consequences of the alleged terrorist attack in Solingen. Quent said the fear that the right -wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) could benefit politically through the targeted instrumentalization of this tragic event. Despite a temporary decline in the surveys due to the rise of the "democratic protest party" BSW and the alleged revelations in Potsdam, the mood is now changing again in favor of the AfD. Immediately after the tragic message was announced, which demanded three fatalities and eight seriously injured, right -wing extremist actors had become active in order to exploit the crime politically.

Quent emphasized that the uncertainty among the population and the "agitation" of conservative and right actors could influence the election results in favor of the AfD. He explained that the dividing line between right -wing extremist instrumentalization and legitimate demands for consequences often occur, especially in view of the emotional and collective concerns that trigger such events. Although this dismay is understandable, it becomes dangerous if "generalized" and "excessive".

Quents Appeal for rational handling

Quent criticized that knife attacks and other violent crimes of foreigners were often instrumentalized in the context of migration policy. However, the real problem was elsewhere: "The Islamist terrorists want to spread fear by attacking civilians, and the right extremists use this fear," says Quent. The right -wing extremists did not do this as a counterpoint to Islamism, but even reinforced its effect.

Another important concern of quent was to point out that terrorist attacks could never be prevented with a hundred percent certainty. History has shown that rational and relaxed reactions in the fight against terrorism are more effective than emotional and rushed actions. When asked how the "instrumentalization" of Islamist violence can be prevented by rights, Quent appealed to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), a sign of cohesion and unity. At the same time, he wanted a "rational, serious sign" of the federal government.

also emphasized that the demand for political measures against Islamism should not take place. In the past, he worked as an employee of the Thuringian Left Party Member of the Landtag Katharina König-Preuss and was the founding director of the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society in 2016. This institute is a non-university research group under the sponsorship of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation. His expertise and many years of experience make a significant voice in the fight against right -wing extremism and for a balanced and prudent political reaction to terrorist events.

- Nag