German right-wing extremists mobilise for autumn protests against high energy prices
Tagesspiegel Background
Far-right extremists in Germany have started to mobilise for a 鈥渉ot autumn鈥� of protests against soaring energy prices on social media, . The Telegram channel of extreme right-wing party 鈥淔ree Saxony,鈥� which authorities classify as extremist, warns of a 鈥渃limate dictatorship,鈥� arguing the government purposefully provokes an emergency to destroy Germany鈥檚 economy instead of using Russian gas supplies, according to the article. 鈥淪oon the temperature police will storm into your homes with a thermometer,鈥� the channel says. 鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 still midsummer: Many will soon be very cold if we do not wake up and rise up.鈥� In a similar vein, extremist campaign network 鈥淥ne percent鈥� says: 鈥淭his crisis is preordained, so we can prepare for a 'hot' autumn, a 'hot' winter, even if we have to freeze. This gives us time to set the right course now.鈥�
The German government is very concerned about the social consequences of soaring energy prices and has launched several programmes to support citizens. But many experts warn that the full impact of rising prices is yet to be felt, with the country鈥檚 grid agency expecting a tripling of household gas bills from 2023. An analysis conducted earlier this month stated the energy crisis threatens to push even German middle class households into 鈥渆nergy poverty鈥�, where a household鈥檚 energy bills exceed 10 percent of net income.
A survey had shown 44 percent of the population can imagine to protest against high energy prices, the article says. "If the fears are confirmed and there is a recession, more inflation and unemployment, then there will be good reason to demonstrate," Stefan Lauer, who analyses far-right extremists at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, told the newsletter. "People who can't pay their bills will have the urge to take to the streets." He added it was still an open question which protests they will join, and warned that right-wing demonstrations will already be there, waiting for more people. Lauer said alternative demonstrations offered by democratic actors were needed to prevent a strong showing at right-wing protests. He called on labour unions to organise protests against high prices or government policies.
