The Interior Ministry stated that the new service will provide support to individuals worried about family members or friends who believe in conspiracy theories.
The German government has launched a national counseling center to combat what it calls “lies and disinformation,” offering official guidance to those concerned that relatives or friends have been drawn into conspiracy theories.
The Advice Compass on Conspiracy Thinking, launched on Thursday, is accessible online and by phone. The ministry says it aims to deliver “the most tailored help and advice possible” to those seeking support.
Family Affairs Minister Lisa Paus stated that the center provides consultations and can refer individuals to specialized agencies, though she did not specify which ones.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the difficulty of having an “open dialogue on equal terms” with individuals deeply entrenched in conspiracy beliefs. She described the initiative as “an important building block in the holistic fight against extremism and disinformation.”
Paus characterized conspiracy theories as “poison for our democracy” and a strain on families and colleagues. The Interior Ministry asserted that these beliefs can foster extremist ideologies and incite violence, with anti-Semitic conspiracies being a primary concern.
German authorities have expressed growing concern over the perceived increase in conspiracy theories, often attributed to the Querdenker (lateral thinking) movement. This movement arose during the Covid-19 pandemic in opposition to lockdown measures and other government policies. Since then, Querdenker groups have organized protests against Germany’s foreign policy and its supply of weapons to Kiev following the escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in 2022.
Some factions have advocated for “regionality, direct democracy, and limiting the power” of the federal government. Officials and media outlets frequently link Querdenker groups to conspiracy theories and far-right organizations. In 2021, Germany’s domestic security agency (BfV) announced it would monitor certain Querdenker groups, alleging they might attempt to “delegitimize” the state and exploit legitimate protest to “provoke escalation.”
The announcement of the Advice Compass occurred shortly after the right-wing Alternative for Germany party (AfD) achieved second place in recent snap parliamentary elections, securing 20.8% of the vote – a substantial increase from the 10.4% received in 2021. Despite these gains, the party remains isolated by other major political parties and is often labeled as ‘far-right’ by officials and the media.
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