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The mood raged as tens of thousands of people gathered on August 29 to demonstrate against the crown’s restrictions in central Berlin. Police had to stop a group of right-wing extremists from storming the Riksdag, and among the crowd of protesters, they chanted slogans and held up symbols associated with the far-right.
One of the symbols was “Q”, the username of the anonymous figure in the foreground of the conspiracy theory QAnon. The unfounded ideas began to spread in extreme parts of American online forums a few years ago, but, as DN reported, in the last six months they have also been embraced by politicians and have spread to several European countries.
QAnon was a fringe move before, but during the pandemic it really took hold in Germany.
Miro Dittrich is active at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation in Berlin and traces the spread of far-right ideas in Germany. He tells DN about the drastic increase in QAnon-related activities on social media: on the messaging service Telegram, the largest German QAnon channel today has 125,000 followers, compared to 20,000 followers just before the outbreak of the corona pandemic.
– QAnon was a fringe move before, but during the pandemic it has really taken hold in Germany. The distribution takes place on various Telegram channels but also on other Facebook and Youtube channels, says Miro Dittrich.
The basis of the QAnon conspiracy theory is the belief in the “deep state”; that there is a powerful global network of liberal politicians and celebrities who secretly rule the world. They are accused of being part of a satanic pedophile ring that is about to be revealed by the President of the United States, Donald Trump. It’s a fight that, according to theory, should end in an apocalypse, often referred to by fans as the “storm.”
It is, like many others conspiracy theories, about the struggle between good and evil, along with strong opposition to a designated establishment. Today, QAnon is often described as a blanket theory, and its ability to transform based on context is seen by various researchers as a major reason for the rapid growth.
In Germany, for example, ideas have been put forward by the far-right Reichsbürger movement. Supporters deny the legitimacy of the Federal Republic, instead claiming that the country must be liberated from an invisible power for its Nazi ideal, the Third Reich, to resurface.
– The rapid growth of QAnon in the world is due to the fact that it is constantly adapting. Local narratives can be incorporated. This also applies to the ideas of these violent groups, says Miro Dittrich.
In February, a 43-year-old man was shot. killed ten people in two bars in Hanau, Germany. The manifesto left by the perpetrator showed signs that he lived in a world full of conspiratorial thoughts. It also included references to ideas that highlighted the QAnon movement, including accusations from powerful secret networks.
According to Miro Dittrich, this is a sign that various accusations made by QAnon supporters have previously existed in other conspiracy theories. He sees the dangers of QAnon becoming more pervasive, including on what could happen if supporters decide to “take matters into their own hands” should Donald Trump lose the November presidential election.
– Then it may be a matter of time before people go from “believing in the plan” to beginning to affirm that “they are the plan” and thus begin to commit violence, says Miro Dittrich.
Since many in Germany do not have a personal experience with covid-19, or do not even know someone who has been affected, it is easier for ideas that question the existence of the virus to take hold here.
Although QAnon’s activities have increased rapidly In the last six months, several researchers have pointed out that operations are still marginal. That a conspiracy theory suddenly becomes more visible in public is also not the same as having become a real power factor, Michael Butter, professor of American studies at the University of Tübingen, tells DN.
– QAnon’s basic ideas were quite unusual for a conspiracy theory when they started to spread. However, as time has passed, it has become more traditional. I think a lot of the concern is because people have not understood what it is about, says Michael Butter.
There is certainly no doubt that QAnon has become widespread in Germany, says Michael Butter, who notes, however, that there were other stronger driving forces among those gathered for the extensive demonstrations in Berlin: including opposition to progressive forces in the West. , against Angela Merkel and NATO and instead a positive attitude towards Russia and Donald Trump.
Michael Butter believes that paradoxically the QAnon spread during the corona pandemic may also have to do with Germany’s relatively successful measures against the spread of the infection.
– This applies, for example, to conspiracy theories that the virus was created as a biological weapon or that it does not even exist. Since many in Germany do not have a personal experience with covid-19, or do not even know someone who has been affected, it is easier for ideas that question the existence of the virus to take hold here.
Read more:
Studio DN Sep 15: Thus, QAnon’s crazy theories have gained political importance.
QAnon: the conspiracy theory that took hold in the US political elite.
Björn Wiman: QAnon and Khaybar: Hate against Jews resounds everywhere
