Pro-movement

The pro-movement (German: Pro-Bewegung) or the pro-parties (pro-parteien) was understood to be a conglomerate of parties, voter associations and associations in Germany that were de jure independent, but de facto closely intertwined with one another in terms of personnel, organization and program.

In terms of content, the pro-movement made a name for itself primarily by stoking fears and resentment towards Muslim migrants.

Other focal points included the demand for a zero-tolerance policy in domestic politics, a commitment to the “Christian West” and the fight against “cliques and corruption”.

According to the sociologist Alexander Häusler from the Neo-Nazism Department at the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, the term “citizens' movement” is misleading because the members are not made up of citizens who became politically active for a specific reason or goal, but rather from the failed right-wing extremist collective movement German League for People and Homeland (DLVH).

A large number of the members and the majority of the officials were also active in the DVU, the Republicans and the NPD in the past.

After initial electoral successes in the local elections in Cologne in 2004 and in some other municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2009, other smaller associations were founded under the name “Pro”.

Nevertheless, there were always attempts, especially by Markus Beisicht and Manfred Rouhs, to integrate newly founded pro clubs.

Politicians from all parties spoke out against the action and called for civil society engagement against the pro-movement.