UN Secretary-General António Guterres sees the electoral results of the AfD as evidence that traditional democratic forces have failed to adequately adapt to a changing world. Speaking to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (Saturday editions), Guterres noted that established democratic groups found it difficult to connect with citizens or effectively address their concerns in this new era, where public anxieties have changed dramatically.
The UN chief suggested that this failure to modernize created a void, which the extreme right was able to exploit. However, he also pointed out that there are legitimate, material reasons contributing to the rise of far-right sentiment. These include economic difficulties, heightened concerns over security, and the systemic challenges of managing migration policy effectively-all factors that the far right is able to leverage.
To counteract this trend, Guterres urged democratic forces to adapt their methods and engage with the new modes of public exchange. He emphasized the critical need to recognize how deeply technology has permeated modern society and to utilize new forms of communication. Crucially, democratic actors must work to restore dialogue with civil society, rebuild public trust, and consequently counter the populist attempts at demagoguery.
Despite the worrying trends, the UN General Secretary assured the public that he does not have concerns regarding German democracy. “I trust the Germans,” Guterres said, adding that “I am convinced the Germans will continue to make a great contribution to Europe and to the democracy within Europe.”
