Political vibrations: Kowalczuk warns of authoritarian wave in Germany

Political vibrations: Kowalczuk warns of authoritarian wave in Germany

Wien, Österreich - The historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk urges the worrying political development in Germany, especially in the East German federal states. In a conversation with the NDR, he explains that the election results of the recent state elections in Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony indicate an alarming trend. The AfD continued to grow in Brandenburg with 29.2 percent, while the SPD became narrowest. Kowalczuk emphasizes that these elections represent "a worrying confirmation" of its fears, since the AfD in Thuringia was elected as the strongest faction in the state parliament and many voters support authoritarian structures. In his drastic words, he expressly expresses his concern about the endangerment of democracy and freedom in Germany, "which are so threatened as in decades", since almost half of the voters have given their voice their voice, as ndr.de reported.

The roots of the problem

Kowalczuk explains that fears in society, especially in the east, result from a "double transformation overwhelming". These fears have been reinforced by the digital revolution and globalization, which means that many people are looking for simple solutions that offer populist parties. This dynamic means that emotions play an essential role in voters and significantly shape politics. "People carry an incredible anger with them," says Kowalczuk, "although it is economically better in the east than ever." The mental picture of the East as a suppressed area is not justice, but the perception of injustice remains strong, as it makes clear. Kowalczuk's statements clarify that the success of the AfD and similarly oriented parties has deeper socio-cultural causes that urgently need to be addressed, whereby he speaks against a collaboration with the extremists, as is Kleinezeitung.at reported.