Germany plans to deploy more manpower to combat left-wing extremism

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to deploy more domestic intelligence officers to combat left-wing extremism, he told the annual conference of the civil servants' association in Cologne on Monday.

"The domestic intelligence service will be reinforced in this area," the Bavarian conservative said, adding that he had already ordered this last Monday.

"I simply do not want to give left-wing extremism any space in our country."

He said the measure would not come at the expense of forces dedicated to combating right-wing extremism.

Left-wing terrorism and left-wing extremism are gaining strength again in Germany and are operating "with a higher tempo," Dobrindt said, referring to the recent attack on the power supply in south-west Berlin. A left-wing extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack, which left some 100,000 people without heat or electricity in sub-freezing temperatures.

In the past there had been, "perhaps with justification, a more limited focus" on the issue, he told the dbb association.

In general, the state needed more investigative powers in the digital arena against extremists, the minister said.

"I simply do not find it acceptable that the state is still blind in some areas to extremists."