German president warns of radical threat on riot anniversary

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a statement during a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of violent xenophobic riots against migrants in 1992 in Rostock's Lichtenhagen district, on August 25, 2022. (Tobias Schwarz/AFP)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a statement during a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of violent xenophobic riots against migrants in 1992 in Rostock's Lichtenhagen district, on August 25, 2022. (Tobias Schwarz/AFP)

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warns of new extremist threats to German society as he marks 30 years since the country’s worst post-war racist violence.

Steinmeier traveled to the northern city of Rostock to commemorate the 1992 rampage when thousands of bystanders applauded as a marauding mob flung stones and petrol bombs at a housing block for asylum seekers.

He says Germany has failed to snuff out hatred and radicalism in the intervening years, as political leaders warn of potential militancy this winter linked to high energy prices, inflation and resumed pandemic measures.

“The risk that the trail of violence hasn’t ended is high,” Steinmeier tells the ceremony.

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