According to Sönke Rix, the new president of the Federal Centre for Civic Education (bpb), confidence in German democracy has declined. While overall support for democracy remains high, Rix noted that many people harbor doubts about whether political systems and democratic institutions are capable of managing major crises. Rix, a politician from the SPD, assumed leadership of the bpb in March.
His assessment mirrors findings from various studies: while support for the concept of democracy persists, trust in the institutions themselves has decreased. However, Rix clarified that the bpb alone cannot restore this lost confidence; he stated that politicians must take the lead in rebuilding public trust. Instead, the bpb’s core mission is to explain political processes, convey background information, and enable citizen participation, demonstrating that democratic institutions are fundamentally capable of meeting even the greatest challenges.
Addressing the concept of impartiality, Rix drew a clear distinction. He asserted that the bpb cannot afford to be strictly “neutral” because its existence is bound by and committed to the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz), which he stressed is not a value-neutral constitution. Despite this firm stance, he emphasized the institution’s commitment to cross-party balance, stating that the bpb does not evaluate individual parties but rather presents a variety of political viewpoints.
Furthermore, Rix highlighted the necessity of reaching modern audiences with digestible content, including digital formats, noting that the political education delivered must make an effort to be engaging. He dismissed criticism that political education must be confined to agreeable formats, suggesting that successful outreach, regardless of the project’s nature-whether it involves worms or crafts-is dependent on its ability to draw people into political conversations.
In concluding remarks, Rix confirmed that the bpb’s mandate is focused on serving citizens, not political parties. Using the Wahl-O-Mat as an example, he explained that the popular tool allows voters to compare political positions among all eligible parties, offering guidance without ever issuing a voting recommendation. He firmly concluded that it is not the bpb’s role to judge whether any political party is extremist.