Now more than ever!: 5 tips to feel less powerless

In view of the result of the federal election, many people in Germany feel resigned and powerless. How could it happen that a party that is in part right-wing extremist, the AfD, was able to win 20 percent of the vote? A party that has no interest in women and their rights and that endangers the rule of law. But burying your head in the sand has never helped. That's why we're telling you what you can continue to do to protect our democracy and women's rights.

Where did the firewall go?

January 29, 2025 will go down in history. And not in a positive way: For the first time, a democratic party has secured a majority in the Bundestag with the help of a party that is partly right-wing extremist. Just two days after we commemorated the victims of the Shoah, 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the CDU/CSU submitted a motion to tighten migration policy ("5-point plan"), which only received a majority with the help of the AfD. Many experts have considerable doubts as to whether the demands are even legally permissible. With the motion, the Union is demanding that...

1. German borders are permanently controlled
2. asylum seekers are consistently rejected
3. Persons without valid documents are not allowed to enter
4. the right of residence for criminals and dangerous persons is tightened
5. persons required to leave the country are detained

The vote not only led to discussions in the Bundestag itself - the Greens described the day as "black for democracy" and SPD parliamentary group leader Mützenich accused Friedrich Merz and the Union of having "broken out of the political center" - but many family and friends also expressed their outrage. If you are also concerned about our democracy and want to counteract the trend to the right, we have summarized what you can do here.

1. Enter into exchange Logically, we prefer to surround ourselves with people who have a similar attitude to certain topics as we do, making ourselves comfortable in so-called bubbles or filter bubbles. Showing up every now and then and engaging in conversation with people who think differently than we do not only broadens your own horizons, but can also help you to understand the other person and maybe even pick them up.
2. Share political content where it reaches people who think differently Most of us are in our filter bubbles on social media too. Sharing political content is less useful if we all have the same opinion anyway. It can create a sense of community, but we don't reach the people we actually want to reach. One solution could be to switch to WhatsApp status. With family, old school friends or distant acquaintances, there may be a chance to encourage someone to think differently.
3. Take action against hate and incitement To prevent the discourse - especially online - from shifting further to the right, it is important not to remain silent when right-wing slogans are used or people are attacked. If you are afraid of becoming a target yourself, it can help to first find allies and then speak up, or at least make sure that you are not alone. Mobilizing friends and going to demonstrations together is also a good way to take action.
4. Going to vote

   Pretty simple. But essential nonetheless. If you are allowed to, then go and vote . If you can't be there, then apply for a postal vote. "All state authority emanates from the people," says Article 20, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law. If we can also persuade potential non-voters to cast their vote, even better!

5. Join a party

   Anyone aged 16 or over, sometimes even 14, can become a member of a party . These days, the application can usually be accessed and filled out online. Most parties charge a monthly fee based on income. The nice thing is that each member decides for themselves whether and how they want to get involved. So just because you have joined a party, you are not obliged to put up election posters or anything like that.

Even if the news often leaves us feeling helpless and angry, getting involved and supporting each other can make us feel less at the mercy of others. The result of the federal election may be frustrating for many people, but: right now, it is important not to give up, because politics thrives on exchange, and only that can move us forward.

Brigitte