Last Sunday confirmed what had been apparent for months. The reactions at 6 p.m. illustrated the point: the state election in Saxony-Anhalt already bears the mark of "historic" in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany.
At the various election celebrations, the horror and despair of some contrasted sharply with the exuberant jubilation of others. Here were the parties ranging from the CDU to the Left Party, there the so-called Alternative for Germany, both represented with 39 seats in the state parliament, and somewhere in between, the erratic BSW. At first glance, a stalemate.
This appearance is deceptive. In reality, the parties of the democratic center, which have shaped and guided this Federal Republic in shifting coalitions since its founding, have been relegated to insignificance in one German state. Together, the CDU, SPD, and Greens hold little more than a third of the seats. The conclusion of the state election must be: With Saxony-Anhalt, one German state has become completely ungovernable for the political center.
Significantly, in light of this election, not a single member of the AfD uttered the word "miracle." This result certainly didn't come out of nowhere. It is the culmination of an election campaign in which the AfD barely concealed its intentions for the Federal Republic of Germany, starting in Saxony-Anhalt. Education policy exemplifies this: the abolition of compulsory schooling, separate classes for refugee children, the reversal of inclusion, the elimination of extremism prevention measures, restrictions on political expression for teachers (including complaint mechanisms for parents and teachers), and a complete reversal of the politics of remembrance.
The AfD's platform is a blatant declaration of war on freedom of expression and the protection of minorities—in short, on the very foundations of our open society and liberal democracy. No smile from a popular leading candidate, no pointing the finger at Berlin can excuse or justify voting for a party classified as definitively right-wing extremist with such a platform.
This assessment, however, only holds true as long as one trusts the institutions of this Federal Republic. A growing segment of the population in our country has lost precisely this fundamental trust. In Saxony-Anhalt, a majority has turned away from our open society.
This finding is bitter. The fact remains: the success of the so-called Alternative for Germany (AfD) lies primarily in the failure of those parties that have shaped the Federal Republic for decades. If the governing parties stoke fears in their discussions instead of speaking with one voice, they cannot succeed in combining the necessary reforms in Germany into a comprehensive package and communicating them in a way that doesn't lead to political apathy. If the tone among democrats becomes increasingly harsh and all goodwill towards the other side disappears, the AfD's advancing normalization cannot possibly be stopped or even reversed.
Thus, without any malicious intent, the path is paved for the enemies of our open society. For populists, both left and right, are masters at exploiting fears.
One thing is certain: Sunday's election result is the provisional culmination of a long-term trend. What remains to be seen is how this trend will continue. Where will the increasing polarization and coarsening of our social interactions lead us? The future is uncertain.
This observation is troubling. Especially in these times, religion can show us a possible way out of this situation. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is approaching. On Rosh Hashanah, we blow the ram's horn, the shofar, which reminds us of the biblical story of the sacrifice of Isaac.
The sound of the shofar is a wake-up call. It invites us Jews to pause and reflect on the past year. Rosh Hashanah offers an opportunity for tschuvah – self-examination. We question ourselves and our actions.
This ancient Jewish tradition possesses a special power and relevance. Tshuvah offers everyone an opportunity for repentance. Every individual can make a difference; in their own life and in the lives of others.
I hope that this year the wake-up call of the shofar will be heard loud and clear far beyond the Jewish community. That this wake-up call will give the politicians of the democratic center of our country cause to reconsider their course and their actions, in order to restore the people's trust in the institutions of the Federal Republic.
The message of Rosh Hashanah goes beyond mere self-examination. The word "tshuva" literally comes from the verb "shuv," meaning "to return." On Yom Kippur, this reconciliation can culminate in reconciliation with ourselves and with others. For those who examine themselves, question their actions, and are ready to repent, this reconciliation is always possible. Thus, the New Year festival equally represents a forward-looking perspective, one filled with hope.
The future of our country and our liberal democracy is open. Each of us has the chance to help shape it and learn from past mistakes.
This editorial was originally published in German in Jüdische Allgemeine.
