Democracy in danger: Mayors warn of growing extremism!

Democracy in danger: Mayors warn of growing extremism!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the term “left behind” is increasingly becoming a synonym for current social challenges. The city and municipal council in Schwerin, which represents the interests of the state's mayors, clearly shows that the situation in the municipalities is getting worse. Susanne Miosga, the committee's spokeswoman, reports on the growing worries and needs that are weighing on the mayors' minds. The tone in the city and community councils is becoming harsher, respect and fairness are noticeably decreasing. Constructive debates, especially on topics such as migration, hardly seem possible anymore. This often leads to worrying situations, such as the meeting of Mayor Stefan Fassbinder in Greifswald, which took place under police protection in 2024.

In Neubrandenburg, a mayor has resigned out of fear for his private life. Miosga warns of a dangerous trend: “Attacks on our democracy and the values ​​of our society are increasing.” A worrying sign is the 2024 local elections, in which the AfD became the strongest force in many communities. Surveys show that 38 percent of voters want to vote for the AfD again in the 2026 state elections. In Boizenburg, Mayor Rico Reichelt reports on a death threat that he received in three and a half years as mayor. When he was elected in 2022, he was considered “out of town” and had caused a stir with his left-wing ideas.

Growing conflicts and the influence of extremism

The political mood is tense: After the local elections in 2024, there was a scandal in Boizenburg when a city representative from the CDU, supported by votes from the AfD and the right-wing extremist group Homeland and Identity, was elected mayor. This raises questions about the level of trust in local political structures. However, committed citizens in cities like Boizenburg, Ludwigslust and Torgelow are committed to regaining trust and dealing with conflicts constructively. In Torgelow, for example, there are initiatives to promote the peaceful coexistence of different cultures, and Pro Peace is actively involved in an action plan that aims to improve social cooperation. Mayor Kerstin Pukallus draws a positive interim conclusion about the cooperation with Pro Peace.

The challenges against the background of hostility to democracy should not be underestimated. It is a worrying development that committed volunteers in small communities are affected by conflicts and the pressure on elected officials is growing. The commitment to respectful dialogue and a return to democratic values ​​are more in demand than ever. It is all the more important that these challenges are met with a clear plan of action, such as that provided by Pro Peace.

Final thoughts on the need for engagement

“We need compromises and a constructive way of working,” emphasizes Reichelt, thereby showing the direction that politics in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania should take. Despite the difficulties, the desire for peaceful coexistence and the preservation of democratic values ​​in the communities remains unbroken. At the same time, the increasing pressure that mayors are under shows that democracy is not a sure-fire success and requires constant efforts to maintain it. Ultimately, it is not just the responsibility of politicians, but of every single citizen to get actively involved and fight for respectful coexistence.