On Radio 1 about the Kingdom of Germany

Land grabs in their own country. That’s what the citizens of the Kingdom of Germany want: to buy more land to expand their own fantasy state. “They even have their own self-proclaimed king,” says Germany expert Ulrike Nagel on *Bureau Buitenland*.

Summary of this conversation

Introduction to “Königreich Deutschland” The “Königreich Deutschland” movement is trying to carve out its own little territory within its own country. Members of this movement want to purchase more land to expand their own fantasy state [00:01]. Germany expert Ulrike Nagel discusses this group [00:29].

About “Königreich Deutschland”

“Königreich Deutschland” is a kind of splinter group of the far-right Reichsbürger movement [00:31]. Although the group itself claims to have about 5,000 members, this figure is an estimate by the German security service [00:43]. They have a self-proclaimed king and even their own press spokesperson [00:49]. There are several such far-right extremist groups in Germany that are being monitored by the security services [00:55].

Characteristics of such groups

• Some groups live inconspicuously together on farmhouses with large tracts of land [01:02].
• They are self-sufficient, grow their own vegetables, and live in isolation from the rest of society [01:08]. They appear to be environmentally conscious and somewhat left-leaning, but are in fact far-right [01:08].
• Other groups, such as “Königreich Deutschland,” have their own passports, rules, and laws [01:16]. They do not accept how Germany functions and try to withdraw from it [01:22].

Dangers and Developments

Last year, members of the Reichsbürger movement were involved in plotting a coup, which led to 25 arrests [01:38]. It involved a large network of 18,000 people, including individuals in high-ranking positions such as judges and members of the Bundestag [01:45]. This makes such groups quite dangerous [01:53].

The security services of the various states are organizing informational meetings in the affected villages to explain how these groups operate [01:53]. They obtain money to buy land through donations and expensive workshops and courses, in which they teach people how to step out of “the system” [02:04].

Increasing Contact and Power

Security agencies are now observing that these groups are seeking more contact with one another [02:15]. They are buying up farms and houses, as well as large tracts of land, especially in rural areas with small villages in regions such as Saxony, Brandenburg, or Thuringia [02:22]. By buying up land, they are also gaining power, while attempting to evade the laws and regulations of the Federal Republic [02:33].

Ulrike Nagel emphasizes that this is a fascinating development [02:43].

Background

Establishing Mini-Kingdoms

Königreich Deutschland is essentially a splinter group of the far-right Reichsbürger movement, says Nagel. “It’s said to consist of about five thousand people. They have a self-appointed king and their own press spokesperson. Some often live inconspicuously together on farmhouses with a lot of land; they’re self-sufficient, grow their own vegetables, etc., and live truly isolated from the rest of society. Others have their own passports and their own rules and laws.” They get the money to buy land from donations, but also from expensive workshops and courses in which they teach people how to “step out of the system.”

Multiple Movements

There are several such far-right groups in Germany that are being monitored by the security services. “Take the Reichsbürger movement, for example, which made the news less than two months ago because of its coup plans,” says Nagel. “The security services are observing that these various groups and movements—even though they all operate independently of one another—are coming into closer contact with each other; they’re teaming up to buy up farms, houses, and large tracts of land, particularly in rural areas. “By buying up land, they’re also buying power. They’re also trying to evade the laws and regulations of the Federal Republic,” says Nagel.

Warnings

Residents of the states of Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Thuringia are not happy with their new neighbors. Nagel: “There are people leaving these villages because they simply don’t want to live next to such strange far-right groups. But there are also people in those villages who are going around with flyers to warn others and who, for example, want to start a citizens’ initiative.”

On “Bureau Buitenland,” you’ll hear international news, reports, and geopolitical analysis. Featuring background stories and noteworthy reports, Monday through Friday from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. Hosts: Sophie Derkzen and Tim de Wit