- Germany's Political Stability: Under Scrutiny over Democracy's Edge
Last week, when a renowned interviewer spoke with bestselling U.S. author Jonathan Franzen, he praised Germany as a role model. Franzen, who has spent years living here, lauded our nation for taking responsibility for its Nazi atrocities and having laws that prohibit certain symbols and slogans. However, as an outsider, Franzen may have a different perspective.
Germany has many things to be proud of, despite the current trend of viewing it negatively. These include our free media, fair and independent courts, surviving democratic parties, and the continued acceptance of democracy. But there's a threat lurking, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is polling second nationwide and could become the strongest party in the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, according to a Forsa poll for the star and RTL. This could bring afd leader, Björn Höcke, a person who can be legally labeled a fascist, into the spotlight and potentially into government responsibility.
Our cover story will not solely focus on Höcke but will also examine those who might vote for him. We'll delve into what motivates these individuals.
The German Divide
Martin Debes, our title author who hails from Thuringia, sees this issue as a deeply personal one. Debes agrees with sociologist Steffen Mau, who asserts that Germany is "unequally united" due to the impacts of the GDR and West Germany's transformation. He writes: "The dictatorship shaped people through oppression and propaganda. For most, the freedom they achieved brought new opportunities and prosperity. But many suffered from unemployment and loss of status. The effects of deindustrialization, emigration, and elite exchange persist. As a result, East Germans are on average older and less wealthy than West Germans; the proportion of men in the population is also higher in the east. East Germans are less likely to be organized in trade unions, church, or a party. They have lower incomes, fewer children, and a lower life expectancy."
The list of complaints compiled by Forsa is lengthy: the Ukraine war, crime, immigration, inflation, and social inequality top the list. The threats of right-wing extremism or climate change follow.
Debes summarizes: "As a result, the mood is sour in some places. A large minority feels second-class and dependent. Their trust in institutions is lower, and their views are more radical. And that makes them more susceptible to populist and extremist movements."
If you think this is an East German phenomenon, remember: the AfD also finds support in the West. Read more here.
When a famous actor passes away, I always feel the urge to watch all their films again. Alain Delon, with over 80 films under his belt, presents a double challenge. He's starred in both excellent masterpieces and mediocre movies. But even at 88, Delon hasn't missed much. However, when he died, France seemed to pause for a moment. So, I thought again: perhaps other countries treat their stars, with their strengths and weaknesses, more gently because they remember that even great stars are humans, not always perfect.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gaining popularity poses a significant challenge to the democratic fabric of Germany. This was highlighted when their leader, Björn Höcke, could potentially enter government responsibility if the AfD becomes the strongest party in certain state elections.
In contrast to the negative perception of Germany, the European Parliament should acknowledge and appreciate the country's democratic achievements, such as its free media, independent courts, and continued acceptance of democracy.
