Author Anne Rabe views Germany as facing a major political crisis following the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, arguing that there is a dangerous tendency to downplay the issue of right-wing extremism. Speaking to “Interview of the Week” with ARD, Rabe stated that this is a crisis for the Federal Republic “as it has understood itself.”
She asserts that right-wing extremism represents a form of terror and violence that has been a continuous feature in the history of the Federal Republic, citing the NSU murders as an example. Rabe criticized the commonly held self-image of being anti-fascist and a champion of remembrance, suggesting this image obscures the ongoing reality of extremist violence and the numerous deaths and injuries it causes.
Rabe detailed the work of dedicated local initiatives in the East, such as those in Görlitz, observing that these groups possess a high degree of problem awareness because they have long dealt with right-wing extremism. These individuals experience threats in their daily lives and fear cuts that could lead to the loss of their safe spaces and meeting places, especially in states like Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD is specifically targeting clubs and associations.
While Rabe acknowledged that there is little reason for optimism given global political developments, she was impressed by the resilience of people in rural Eastern Germany who refuse to be discouraged. She finds the loud and diverse civil society movement in the region to be the crucial difference from the 1990s and 2000s, noting that something has changed, and these are truly strong people.
