Shifting Boundaries: Thuringia in 2025

The latest analyses of the situation in Thuringia clearly show that the social and political landscape has shifted profoundly in 2025. Far-right views have become more visible, more acceptable and a more common part of everyday life. The central argument of this issue is clear: the far right has established itself in everyday life—and the normalization of far-right extremism has progressed rapidly in a very short space of time.

The rise of right-wing extremism in Thuringia has already been documented in previous issues. This trend has not only been confirmed but has become entrenched. It is creating a climate in which uncertainty is growing, skilled workers are withdrawing, and structures that strengthen democratic engagement are coming under increasing pressure.

Schools under pressure: more incidents, more uncertainty

This development is particularly evident in everyday school life. Schools are facing a sharp rise in the number and severity of far-right incidents. Romy Arnold, project manager of MOBIT, comments: »Experience from our advisory work shows that teachers and school social workers are frequently pushed to their limits. The trend already observed towards a stronger right-wing extremist orientation among young people is continuing and is increasingly shaping the school environment.«

At the same time, it is becoming clear that societal discourses do not remain abstract. They have concrete consequences—including violence. The shooting of international students in Ilmenau is a prime example of an escalation in which political rhetoric, local tensions and real violence reinforce one another.

Persistently high levels of right-wing, racist and antisemitic violence

The number of right-wing, racist and antisemitic violent incidents remains alarmingly high. In 2025, the specialist victim support service ezra documented 181 attacks in Thuringia. At least 292 people were directly affected, including children and young people. This equates to an average of more than three violent incidents per week.

»For many of those affected, right-wing violence is no longer an exception, but an everyday risk. In addition to our independent monitoring, this is also demonstrated by figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA): in a nationwide comparison per 100,000 inhabitants, Thuringia ranked third in 2025 in terms of politically motivated right-wing violence. The brutality of many of the attacks is also particularly worrying. We must not become accustomed to these conditions«, says Theresa Lauß, project manager at ezra.

International students: uncertainty and emigration

The changed situation is not without consequences for international students and graduates. »Interviews show that people with international background, in particular, are increasingly experiencing racism in their everyday lives. This leads to growing uncertainty and influences decisions about where to live and whether to stay«, explains Laura Dellagiacoma, research associate at the Centre for Research on Right-Wing Extremism, Democracy Education and Societal Integration at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (KomRex).

A climate of intimidation, uncertainty in dealing with far-right positions, and a lack of support have thus led international students and graduates to turn their backs on Thuringia. Given the massive shortage of skilled workers in Thuringia, an already dramatic trend is now coming to a head.

Civil society under fire: delegitimization and political attacks

At the same time, the conditions for civil society engagement are deteriorating noticeably. Organizations, initiatives and advice centres are facing increasing attacks—politically, publicly and online. »Debates about an alleged ›NGO complex‹, as well as targeted parliamentary initiatives and media campaigns, are contributing to the delegitimization of democratic actors,« says Cornelius Helmert, a political scientist at the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (IDZ). It is particularly problematic that these narratives are in some cases also being taken up by democratic forces and are increasingly reflected in political and administrative action.

Conclusion: Greater far-right influence, less democratic resistance

These developments highlight a two-pronged dynamic: whilst far-right actors are gaining influence and normalizing their positions, resistance is being weakened. Intimidation, societal shifts and political attacks on democratic structures are intertwined. The findings in this issue make it clear: this is no longer just about isolated incidents. It is about a fundamental shift in social norms—and the question of how viable democratic counter-strategies still are under these conditions.

What are the »Thüringer Zustände«?

This series of publications offers a concise, fact-based overview and critical analysis of the situation regarding right-wing extremism, antisemitism and racism, as well as marginalization, discrimination and hate-motivated violence in the Free State of Thuringia. It serves as a civil society complement to the existing, sometimes incomplete assessments by the relevant state authorities. »Thüringer Zustände« is now is being published for the fifth consecutive year.

»Thüringer Zustände« is published by ezra – Beratung für Betroffene rechter, rassistischer und antisemitischer Gewalt in Thüringen (Mobile counselling for victims of right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence), by MOBIT – Mobile Beratung in Thüringen – für Demokratie – gegen Rechtsextremismus (Mobile advisory service in Thuringia—for democracy—against right-wing extremism), by KomRex – Zentrum für Rechtsextremismusforschung, Demokratiebildung und gesellschaftliche Integration (Centre for Research on Right-wing Extremism, Democracy Education and Societal Integration) at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and by the IDZ – Institute for Democracy and Civil Society.