Statement on the political situation in Germany after the federal election

   The results of the federal election in Germany are unsurprising, yet frightening. Not surprising because they simply reveal what was already there. Not only the AfD, which, as a right-wing extremist party, gained massive votes, but also the CDU and the BSW (Federal Social Democratic Party of Germany), illustrate what is happening. They are all increasingly shifting to the right to avoid losing votes. The so-called "center" is no longer the center, but far to the right of it. This is evident in the exploratory talks between the conservative CDU/CSU and the so called socialist SPD, in which deportations are glorified with a "repatriation offensive" and rejections are made legal directly at the border, thereby disregarding the fundamental rights of refugees.^1,2

    Terrorist attacks are systematically instrumentalized for racist incitement against migrants and refugees. Instead of addressing the effects of racist migration policies and the true causes of flight, war, poverty, exploitation, and colonial history, attention is diverted from real problems such as high rents, a lack of daycare places, and a broken healthcare system. Migrants are used as scapegoats for all of these societal crises. These narratives are not only wrong, they are a direct product of the racist and imperialist ideologies that have permeated German politics for decades. They legitimize racist violence and result in attacks on refugee shelters.^3,4

   The fact that Björn Höcke (politician of the far right party AFD) continues to repeat the same fascist slogans that Hitler once used shows that the line between outright fascism and state-legitimized politics is becoming increasingly blurred.

   When it comes to migration, the discourse is led by those who themselves have no idea about the real experiences of migrants. The majority of migrants don't even have the right to participate in political processes that directly impact their and our lives.

   We are witnessing the continued dismantling of a so-called welfare state. The privatization of public services is advancing inexorably, while more and more people are falling outside the social safety net. This neoliberal course is leading to ever-increasing social divisions and a growing gap between rich and poor. Capitalism is showing itself in its most brutal form: profit over people and nature. At the same time, we are seeing an ever-increasing militarization and expansion of police powers, while police murders in this country are ignored and swept under the rug.

   We oppose racism, nationalism, and exclusion and continue to fight for solidarity and justice. We will continue to work against the spread of hatred and discrimination and strive for an inclusive society that offers all people equal rights and opportunities – regardless of their origin, sexual orientation, or social status.

   We cannot compromise with policies that normalize racism and exploitation. We demand a society in which migrants, refugees, and all marginalized groups not only have rights, but also the power to change political and social structures.