Foreign Correspondent: Citizens of the Reich (ABC TV Thursday 31 August 2023)

Foreign Correspondent: Citizens of the Reich airs Thursday 31 August 2023 on ABC TV

What can we expect from this episode

Germany and the rest of the world were caught off guard by a failed coup attempt in December of last year. However, the Reichsbürger group, who orchestrated the coup, has been sowing discord for years. This week on Foreign Correspondent, we go to Germany to investigate the’sovereign citizens’ movement, a group on the far right that claims its members are above the law. Some are currently on trial for their roles in terrorist attacks and shooting at police.

Eric Campbell travels to the German state of Thuringia to investigate reports that a self-styled prince plotted the coup from his regal hunting lodge. He talks to spies who say the Reichsbürger have formed an unholy alliance with the far-right AfD. Its extreme policies to halt immigration and roll back climate change action have propelled the party to second place in Germany’s polls. Jewish State Intelligence chief Stephan Kramer, on the other hand, calls the AfD “Nazis in suits” and vows to evacuate his family if they win power in Germany.

It is fascinating and disturbing to see the far right’s popularity soar in the one country that has avoided extremists since the end of World War II.

Australia’s leading international affairs program featuring fascinating, in-depth stories from the ABC’s unrivalled network of foreign correspondents.

Season 2023 Episode 18

When can we see the episode

Foreign Correspondent: Citizens of the Reich airs Thursday 31 August 2023 at 20:00 on ABC TV

Featured image credit: ABC TV