The future of König Fitzek’s” real estate in Eibenstock is uncertain

The future of König Fitzek’s” real estate in Eibenstock is uncertain

At the end of 2023, the little castle in the Eibenstock district of Wolfsgrün hit the headlines. The self-proclaimed “King of Germany”, Peter Fitzek, resided there. The property ownership of the Kingdom of Germany (KRD) is currently unclear after the group was banned in May 2025. Eibenstock's mayor Uwe Staab (CDU) expressed relief at the intervention of the constitutional state. A central question now remains the future of the properties acquired by Fitzek and his followers.

The “Kingdom of Germany” was founded in Saxony-Anhalt in 2012 and appeared nationwide in 2021. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution estimates the number of KRD supporters in Saxony to be around 150 to 200 in 2023, a decline compared to around 300 in the previous year. Saxony is considered the focus of the Reich citizen scene, in which a total of more than 3,100 people are active.

Use of real estate and legal consequences

After the KRD was banned, two castles in Bärwalde and Wolfsgrün were confiscated by BaFin during investigations. The reason for the measures lies in unauthorized banking and insurance transactions that the group had carried out. The properties are now to be sold. The Halsbrücke estate, another property acquired by KRD supporters, belongs to a private individual and is not under state supervision.

On May 13, 2025, Peter Fitzek and three of his followers were arrested in Halsbrücke, while the group remains active in rural areas of Saxony, particularly in the Erzgebirge and central Saxony. The proportion of women among the followers is around 27 percent, while the site's focus is on men over 50 years of age.

Insights into the Reich citizen scene

Dresden is known as a “hotspot” of the scene. The Reich citizens pursue the goal of abolishing the existing state and leaving the existing system. Currently, KRD supporters are often found in rural areas after being forced to relocate due to the confiscation of their properties. The arrests of Fitzek and his followers show that the state is taking decisive action against extremist efforts.

The development of this group illustrates the challenges associated with the Reich citizen scene. The dismantling of structures and the legal measures provide scope for speculation about the future steps of the constitutional state and the use of the confiscated properties. The course of the investigation and the integration of the former members into society remains to be seen.

However, citizens in Eibenstock and beyond remain hopeful that the ban on the KRD has taken an important step towards securing public order and strengthening the rule of law.

For further information about developments in connection with the KRD and Peter Fitzek, those interested can read the reporting on Free press and MDR read up.