The emergence of the Autonome Nationalisten was controversial within the German far right milieu, both because some older activists of the German extreme right objected to their "leftist" image and because the NPD feared they would complicate its efforts to take part in mainstream politics [REF].
The Autonomous Nationalists in Europe made themselves visible starting from 2003-2004 and are now considered more violent than other members of the European far right [REF].