Deep Read: "We live in a society with blocked paths to advancement"

Sociologist Steffen Mau has expressed surprise at how quickly Germany's societal landscape has changed, with the country's parties of the center in a precarious position due in part to the rise of the AfD. Mau notes that young people are protesting in Germany and other European countries, driven by frustration with politics and a sense of uncertain futures due to factors like artificial intelligence and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He believes that the current protests may not be a lasting political movement, citing the fleeting nature of social media-driven mobilization. The erosion of traditional parties and their ability to engage with young people has created an opening for movements like the AfD, which has successfully leveraged social media to build support.