At the end of December, authorities had around 1,200 actual or suspected right-wing extremists on their radar nationwide who legally possessed weapons – an increase of almost 35 per cent compared to the end of 2019.

The figures were given by the German government in response to an inquiry by the Die Linke political party.

“The increase proves the rising threat posed by neo-Nazis and racists,” said lawmaker Martina Renner.

“As expected, the involvement of the intelligence service has not proven to be an effective measure against arming the right-wing scene,” the interior politician added.

Thomas Haldenwang, the president of Germany’s Verfassungsschutz domestic intelligence agency, said last year that intelligence shows there are small right-wing extremist groups collecting weapons and preparing for “Day X.”

A law that came into force in February last year requires the Verfassungsschutz to be asked if a person is on their radar as an extremist before a weapons permit is issued as well as every three years afterwards.

The number of people the department identified as Reichsbuerger (Reich citizens) and sovereign citizens with either a weapons possession card or a weapons licence remained unchanged year-on-year at 528 people.

Members of the Reichsbuerger fringe movement do not recognize state and federal laws and refuse to pay taxes, social security contributions and fines.