What is Democracy?
Germany sees itself as a “militant democracy.” Politicians and the media constantly emphasize how free and pluralistic our country is. Yet as soon as a party becomes inconvenient, this promise seems to vanish.
Exclusion from elections through formalities
Candidates are excluded from elections under flimsy pretexts. Officially, the justification is “rules” – but strikingly, the same standards almost never apply to other parties.
Manipulation in the streets
Election campaigns should mean debate: posters, information stands, conversations. In reality, it often looks like this: destroyed posters, aggressive disruptors in front of polling stations or even as election workers themselves, intimidation instead of arguments. The state watches – or looks away.
Unequal treatment in parliament
Even those who win elections face barriers. Opposition members of parliament receive smaller offices, poorer equipment, shorter speaking times. Formally democratic – practically marginalization.
Disruption instead of debate
Interviews are not countered with questions, but with noise: buses, whistles, blockades. Silencing the opposition is celebrated as “engagement.” If such a thing were done to a government politician, it would be called an “attack on democracy.”
Media, NGOs and taxpayer money
- Media: constant scandalization, reduction to labels.
- NGOs: funded with taxpayer money – officially “democracy projects,” in reality partisan opposition fighting.
- Finances: bank accounts canceled, loans denied – economic pressure instead of fair competition.
The double standard
While left-wing groups can block streets or break laws and still be praised as “civil society,” the opposition is branded a danger even when it simply insists on the rule of law.
Conclusion: What is Democracy?
Democracy means that every vote counts. That even the inconvenient ones have a fair chance. That power is limited by competition – not by exclusion.
When opposition is treated the way it is in Germany today, one must ask: Is this still democracy? Or does it resemble systems we usually reject – Russia, North Korea?
And yet: We are not talking about Moscow or Pyongyang.
We are talking about Germany – in the year 2025.
And here lies the crucial point: Even if I am not for the AfD – by rejecting these methods, I must automatically stand on the side of the oppressed. Not out of party sympathy, but out of love for true democracy.
Democracy must be careful not to become the very thing it so compulsively claims to be fighting against.
Tags: #Democracy #FreeSpeech #Germany #Politics #Opposition #Freedom #RuleOfLaw #CivilRights #NorthKorea #Russia #PoliticalFreedom