Germany recorded over 84,000 politically motivated crimes last year — the highest number since nationwide statistics began in 2001. According to figures presented on Tuesday by the Interior Ministry and the police, this represents an increase of around 40 percent compared to 2023.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) attributes the surge in politically motivated crime partly to election-related tensions and the conflict in the Middle East, according to the Spiegel news portal. In 2024, aside from the European Parliament elections, regional elections were also held in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, along with a partial repeat of the federal election in Berlin.
Overall Crime Numbers on the Rise
Police report a significant increase in religiously motivated crimes — up 29 percent (to 1,877 cases) — and left-wing extremist crimes — up 28 percent (to 9,971 cases).
Preliminary police data show that antisemitic motives are suspected in 6,236 incidents. Of the 7,328 crimes categorized by police as related to “Israel” and “Palestine,” antisemitic motives were identified in 2,832 cases, according to Spiegel.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the sharp rise in politically motivated crime as a serious challenge that demands a firm response. He placed particular emphasis on the unacceptably high number of antisemitic offenses, according to the Bild newspaper.
BKA chief Holger Münch stated that the data reflect a deepening polarization in society and highlight threats stemming from both domestic tensions and international conflicts.