Discussion in Düsseldorf centered around the contrast between recollections and commemorations, marking the 80th anniversary of the war's end.
In the political landscape of Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a right-wing political group, has been a subject of concern for democratic institutions and civil society. The party, known for its populist stance, has significantly increased its vote share in recent elections by capitalising on social crises, fears, and feelings of disenfranchisement.
However, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) has not supported the AfD and perceives it as a threat to democracy in Germany. The DGB, aligned with democratic and social democratic values, has not expressed any cooperation or support for the AfD. While a direct, explicit statement from the DGB about the AfD may not be found, the context of their political positioning and their opposition to extremist threats suggests a critical stance toward the party.
The AfD's challenges to democratic values are widely regarded in German political discourse. The party is noted for exploiting crises and societal divisions, which contributes to polarization and endangers democratic stability. Mainstream German institutions and unions like the DGB view such developments critically, emphasising the need to protect democracy from right-wing extremism.
This position aligns with broader concerns that the AfD’s rise corresponds with threats to democratic norms, including undermining pluralism and promoting exclusionary politics. In recent years, old Nazis and new right-wing elements have attempted to undermine democracy in Germany, and the AfD, with its unified organization that encompasses all right-wing extremist currents and networks, is seen as a significant part of this threat.
The AfD's party chair, Alice Weidel, has been criticised for her derogatory comments about certain groups and her advocacy for "remigration". Other high-profile members, such as Björn Höcke in Thuringia, have been accused of using slogans similar to those of the NS stormtroopers.
Recent events, such as the celebration of the 8th of May 2025 by the DGB in Düsseldorf, highlight the importance of remembering and standing against such extremism. The change in thinking about the 8th of May in Germany began with Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker's speech in 1985, and the DGB is now demanding that this practice be adopted everywhere in North Rhine-Westphalia before the municipal elections.
Politics in post-reunification Germany missed the opportunity to create a common values foundation, with the struggle for survival and later reconstruction preventing a processing of fascism and National Socialism immediately after the 8th of May 1945. Today, the DGB and other institutions are working to ensure that history does not repeat itself and that democracy is protected from the threats posed by the AfD and other right-wing extremist groups.
In response to these concerns, the AfD has been trying to trivialize right-wing extremism, but Anja Weber and Fabian Virchow, among others, have warned against this and emphasised the importance of maintaining a firewall against such extremism. Despite the challenges, the DGB remains committed to its mission of promoting democracy, social justice, and workers' rights in Germany.
- The AfD's stance on education and self-development has been criticized, as party leader Alice Weidel's derogatory comments and advocacy for "remigration" are deemed offensive and non-inclusive, contradicting principles of personal growth and social harmony.
- The rise of the AfD and other right-wing extremist groups in Germany, though, presents a significant challenge to democratic norms, as they aim to dismantle pluralism and promote exclusionary politics, potentially leading to war and conflicts.
- Meanwhile, organizations like the DGB remain vigilant and committed to fostering general news, crime and justice, and democratic values by opposing extremist threats and working towards a society that prioritizes peace, unity, and social justice.
