As the German author Tanja Kinkel warns, the freedom in Germany is in danger. She believes that an increasing number of people think that problems cannot be solved within democratic structures. Instead, they put their hope in strong men who can bring about solutions. Kinkel does not limit this expectation to men alone, as she also cautions that women can be just as susceptible to fascist tendencies.
The author of historical novels, known for her works such as “The Puppeteer” explicitly references the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in this context. “The AfD, now widely regarded as a right-extremist force, is supported by up to 40% of the people in certain regions of our country” Kinkel said. “This means that, for these people, democratic processes no longer appear to be providing solutions. This is a very dangerous development.”
Kinkel draws a parallel with the rise of the National Socialists, noting that they did not seize power through a coup, but rather through the opportunities provided by the democratic system of the Weimar Republic. “One cannot rely on the idea that this will not happen again” she emphasized.
Kinkel urges democrats to stand together against the threat to freedom, citing the failure of the 1848 Revolution, the subject of her latest novel “In the Wind of Freedom” as a cautionary example. She believes that the democratic forces failed to unite and that the lack of agreement on their goals allowed the princes to regroup and reorganize.
The author also warns that once-gained freedoms can be lost again, as seen in the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump. She notes that many rights, such as those of women, have only recently been won in Germany and that there is a risk that these gains could be reversed. “My trust in our leaders is not so great that I do not imagine it possible that this could happen again” Kinkel said.