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Demonstration against the AfD and right-wing extremism in Frankfurt am Main on January 20th

Photo: Andreas Arnold / dpa

A largely right-wing extremist party continues to receive good poll numbers, the trivializing word "remigration" is on everyone's lips: for several weeks, thousands of people in Germany have been taking to the streets in concern against rising right-wing extremism. Now dozens of descendants of German resistance fighters have called for even more commitment to an open society.

In a joint appeal, they warn of the collapse of democracy: "It was our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who opposed the Nazi injustice as resistance fighters," says the appeal published in the "Berliner Morgenpost" on Monday published wording. "That's why we, as relatives and descendants, are speaking out today and calling on all fellow citizens to stand up to the New Right in our country and across Europe." Everyone should feel responsible for preserving and defending liberal and constitutional democracy .

Consent through fueled fears

The letter entitled “Learn from history, strengthen democracy!” was signed by more than 280 women and men, including the descendants of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and Carl Friedrich Goerdeler. They write that populists and enemies of democracy are gaining support in many countries by stoking fear, mistrust and hatred. »In times of crisis, people are particularly receptive to this. We have already seen in Germany what this can lead to.”

Many people have forgotten how quickly disappointment and lack of prospects can be seduced. "When even members of the Bundestag speak of millions of 'remigration', when right-wing extremist parties lead the polls in several federal states and democratic parties vacillate helplessly between ingratiation, exclusionary arrogance and fantasies of prohibition, then the alarm bells must be ringing among all supporters of the open society."

The authors warn in their appeal: “Democratic structures and institutions can collapse if citizens do not stand behind them and help preserve them.” That is why stronger commitment from Democrats is needed. »We are convinced that there can be a good future – if we manage to work on it together. Let us learn from history and strengthen democracy!« The descendants of the resistance fighters describe the mass demonstrations against the right in recent weeks as an encouraging sign.

But demonstrations alone were not enough. It is even more important to vote. The appeal refers to the European elections at the beginning of June and the fear that right-wing parties in particular could be among the winners due to low voter turnout. It is with concern that “the democratic parties have not carried out enough election campaigns so far.” The state elections in Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony in September are unlikely to go in favor of the AfD. In addition to voting in the election, debate with friends, acquaintances, colleagues and in the media is also important.

mrc/dpa