Politician withdrawal in Saxony: The threat to our democracy

Politician withdrawal in Saxony: The threat to our democracy

hate as a business model: threat to politicians

Recently, two politicians from Saxony have announced that they want to withdraw from politics. The Bundestag Vice President Yvonne Magwas from the CDU will no longer compete in the next elections, just like District Administrator Dirk Neubauer from Central Saxony. Both state that they are no longer able to exercise their office due to insults, defamation and threats. Unfortunately, these incidents are not an isolated case and show a worrying development that endangers the foundation of democracy.

The threat of politicians is a problem that does not only exist at the federal level, but also in local and regional politics. Mayors, district councilors and members of the district council in particular are often affected by this threat. These people are on site in direct contact with the citizens and make decisions that influence the everyday life of people. Projects such as the construction of a daycare center, the expansion of streets or the introduction of sustainable energy supply systems are implemented on site and require committed politicians.

In municipal and regional politics, people learn that participation can do something. Democratic processes can be experienced and it becomes clear that politics is not an abstract concept that is decided somewhere by "those up there". Instead, politics is experienced as a joint project that is not always easy, often boring, but still better than the alternatives. Trust in democracy is strengthened by both Bundestag debates and by district meetings.

Unfortunately, the extent of the threat of politicians has not yet reached everyone. When the district administrator Dirk Neubauer announced his resignation, he encountered little solidarity, especially from the ranks of the CDU Saxony. Instead of support, he received allegations that he would behave like a "stubborn child". This reaction is short -sighted and shows ignorance of the seriousness of the threat. This is particularly noteworthy, since the CDU has already had tragic experiences with right -wing extremist violence with the murder of government president Walter Lübcke.

The resignation of Yvonne Magwas and Dirk Neubauer are a clear alarm signal and should be taken seriously. It is important that democrats jointly act against this form of threat and show solidarity - not only within the parties, but by all citizens. If this does not succeed, the number of politically committed will continue to decrease until in the end only the left, whose business model is based on hatred and exclusion. Then, as Yvonne Magwas aptly put it, it becomes "dark and cold".