Germany’s Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has announced a tougher approach against left-wing extremists following a recent arson attack on Berlin’s power grid that left tens of thousands without electricity during freezing winter conditions. The minister stated that the state will
not allow left-wing extremists and climate extremists to determine the field.
The new measures include additional personnel for intelligence services and an expansion of digital powers aimed at better tracking extremist networks and monitoring online activity. Dobrindt also highlighted reforms to the Kritis Umbrella Act, which obliges operators of critical infrastructure, including energy companies and airports, to maintain higher safety standards and improve safeguards against sabotage, terrorism, and natural disasters. Operators will also be encouraged to prevent possible system failures.
The announcement comes amid a broader surge in left-wing attacks across Germany. In the year up to November 30th, 2025, federal authorities recorded 931 left-wing motivated violent crimes, representing a 45% increase compared to the previous year, according to figures reported by Junge Freiheit following a parliamentary question submitted by the national conservative Alternative für Deutschland.
The proposed measures have faced sharp criticism from the political left. Marcel Emmerich—internal policy spokesman for the Greens—argued that previous policies neglected security-relevant tasks, while focusing excessively on asylum laws. He also questioned the expansion of digital powers, stressing that investigations must remain within the rule of law.
