Hail the Kaiser?

Germans woke up to the shock of country-wide raids in 11 federal states; some 25 people had been arrested for planning no less than a coup!

They are charged with planning armed attacks on the “Reichstag” — Parliament” and other constitutional bodies. The aim was to create a warlike situation that would enable the group of “Reichsbürger” (empire citizens) and “lateral thinkers” to overthrow the democratic government. A new constitution was planned, based on 1871, when the Prussian King had become Emperor of a united Germany after the victory over France.

It sounds like a spy novel. However, it is authentic. This was a massive operation by Germany’s security forces without precedent. The pre-dawn raids involved over 3000 officials. It was also dangerous, as the plotters were known to be armed. Shots were fired in one of the raided houses, where it is believed that stored arms and ammunition were kept. Accidentally, a policeman was injured, and a fire broke out, followed by several explosions. Eventually, the people inside the house emerged.

Twenty-five people have been arrested in the raids across Germany on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government, with some 52 men and women involved. Already, the coverage is massive. It is believed that elitist ex-soldiers are involved. The chosen Regent was 71-year-old Heinrich Reuß, an independent financial consultant and member of an old noble family. Who said some strange things, like how the German Federal Government was a puppet of the Allies and not independent. Reuß reportedly owns a hunting lodge in Thüringen, where conspiratorial meetings were said to have been held. Other leaders were also appointed to ministerial posts once they assumed power.

More investigations are still going on. For example, several known people were behind the anti-Corona protests and were used to recruit people to join the conspiracy group. At the same time, others tried to recruit current Army members.

One group of four men and a woman, a 75-year-old former teacher, is said to have planned to kidnap the Minister of Health. This group was not involved in the coup but has similar goals to those of the coup.

The “Reichsburger” is considered highly dangerous and a threat to the state. For minority groups, extremists pose a special danger, combined with antisemitism and hatred of foreigners. Germans should be glad that the government has been keeping a close eye on extremist groups. Hopefully, the majority will voice their opinion! Instead of the cozy “Wintermärchen” on St. Nicholas Day, they faced winter fairy tales; Germans faced the darkness of winter.