European street protests have reached Switzerland, triggering weekend demonstrations in Basel and Zürich, srf.ch reported. The unrest, which included destruction and street battles with police in Zürich in the night from Saturday to Sunday, was called for by left-wing extremist groups. Security agencies report that the level of left-wing extremist violence is significantly higher than that of right-wing extremists.
Daniel Glaus, a domestic affairs editor and extremism expert at SRF, explained that the groups involved span a broad spectrum from left-wing, autonomous, and radical to extremist. Ideologically, this includes anarchists, communists, and Maoists, as well as groups focused on anti-fascism, such as the Antifa, and pro-Palestinian groups that have been involved over the last three years. While some groups and individuals reject violence, others are clearly prepared to use it.
Ideological Motives and Clear-Cut Adversaries
The groups organize around ideas of a better world, aiming for a fair organization of society, equality, and the dismantling of previous ruling systems and patriarchal systems. Glaus noted that while these points may resonate, the groups also create clear, tangible targets: the state, the police, companies, and the middle class. Certain groups see themselves in a struggle or even a state of war with these targets. Their ultimate goal is to overthrow the current system. International demonstrations give many left-wing extremists the feeling that a movement is emerging that could accelerate the desired overthrow.
Official Rebuttals and the Upcoming Youth Strike Day
The Young Socialists Switzerland (Juso) has scheduled a “Youth Strike Day” for November 20, with nationwide protests modeled after those abroad. Juso Mirjam Hostetmann stated in an SRF interview that Juso has “nothing to do with this matter,” noting that the protests were organized by other groups with whom Juso maintains “absolutely no relationship.”
Hostetmann stated that it was clear from the beginning that these were intended to be peaceful protests organized by young people.
Hostetmann expressed regret that the violent clashes were linked to the youth strike day planned by her party. Insisting that the planned demonstrations should be peaceful, she confirmed that requests have already been submitted in several cities to have the protests approved, and that they will work for clear rules and principles.
Federal Intelligence Data on Extremist Violence
Statistics from the Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) show that the level of left-wing extremist violence is significantly higher than that of right-wing extremists. Between 2017 and 2025, the NDB counted between 53 and 115 violent acts by left-wing extremists per year. Right-wing extremists committed between zero and five violent acts per year during this period. Left-wing extremists commit 10 to 20 times as many violent acts, though the statistics do not specify the exact nature of these acts.
