Sönke Rix, the newly appointed president of the Federal Centre for Civic Education (bpb), stated that confidence in democracy has declined in Germany. While the general support for democracy remains high, Rix noted that there are growing doubts about whether political entities and democratic institutions are equipped to handle major crises. Serving in this role since March, the SPD politician shares the view found in many studies: trust in democratic institutions is waning despite the strong public acceptance of democracy overall.
According to Rix, political education cannot restore this trust on its own. Instead, he emphasized that politicians themselves must work to rebuild faith in the political process. He clarified that the bpb’s primary mission is to explain political processes, convey complex background information, and empower citizens to participate. The goal of political education, therefore, is to demonstrate that democratic institutions are fundamentally capable of overcoming even the most formidable challenges.
When discussing the bpb’s mission, Rix was clear about the difference between neutrality and fulfilling constitutional obligations. He stated, “We, as the Federal Centre for Civic Education, cannot afford to be neutral because we feel bound by the Constitution and the Basic Law”. He clarified that the German Basic Law is not a value-neutral document. Nevertheless, he stressed the institution’s commitment to impartiality, noting that the bpb does not favor any political party but rather presents diverse viewpoints. To adapt to modern times, Rix also challenged the organization to reach new demographics and deliver its message effectively in the digital space, admitting that what they do must be engaging.
Rix also dismissed criticism regarding the bpb’s funding of artistic democratic projects during his predecessor’s tenure. He argued that political education should not be limited to comfortable or conventional formats. He suggested that the value lies in whether the projects engage people and encourage conversation about politics, regardless of the medium-even projects involving things like caterpillars or weaving baskets.
Regarding the AfD, Rix stated that the bpb’s role is not to determine whether a party is extremist. The bpb’s initiatives are designed for citizens, not for political parties. A prominent example of this is the Wahl-O-Mat (Election O-Mat), which allows all parties allowed to run in elections to compare political positions, helping voters find direction without issuing any specific electoral recommendation.
