Germany's alliance against the far right

In Germany, the fight against far-right extremism requires immense courage, as exemplified by Felix Pankonin, who must secure his home against vandalism and threats. Political advisor Keerthana Kuperan, whose parents are from Sri Lanka, has had to implement heightened security protocols at her office and plans for events due to the rise of right-wing extremism.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, for instance, files parliamentary information requests to delay political proceedings and highlight controversial issues.

State legislative elections in Saxony-Anhalt, a federal state with a low foreign population, are scheduled for September 6, and DaMOst, a migrant organization, notes a shift to the right in the political landscape. This shift has discredited democratic networks, impacting funding and job opportunities. Miriam Zeller, a Green Party councilwoman in Stendal, has faced intense hostility, with her daughter receiving threats and being accused of being a warmonger.

With the Together for Democracy alliance, over 80 groups including labor unions, Christian churches, and human rights groups aim to offer support to those attacked or threatened by far-right extremists. Members of the alliance, such as the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) and Greenpeace, emphasize that the extreme belief that public employees can be fired at will is unlawful.

The DGB is training its members in constitutional and civil service law to defend themselves. Andre Lehmann of the Queer Diversity Association(LSVD+) also highlights the importance of the alliance, as right-wing attacks on Pride events and democratic projects are on the rise in Germany.