German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that Germany might revert to the divisions seen before World War Two, highlighting the dangers of disinformation spread by antidemocratic extremists. His speech coincided with the anniversary of German reunification in 1990 and followed two state elections in eastern Germany where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gained a significant vote share. A third election in Berlin was won by the far-left party, The Left.
While not naming specific parties, Steinmeier criticized the “intolerable political demagoguery of extremist forces” that threaten freedom, democracy, and national unity. The poor performance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative Christian Democrats in recent elections has raised concerns within the ruling coalition, which had aimed to improve Germany’s economy but now faces growing voter anxiety about living standards and economic decline. The AfD argues against being labeled as far-right, claiming mainstream parties use this label to discredit them.
Steinmeier emphasized the need for “well-considered” government policies and pointed to the role of sophisticated disinformation campaigns undermining democratic debate. He acknowledged significant public distrust toward the political system, suggesting many voters are rejecting fundamental rights. He compared the current situation to the pre-Weimar Republic era and urged reflection on whether Berlin’s politics are resembling that troubled period.
With information from Reuters
