Culture becomes a political battlefield in East Germany

A new 3sat documentary, ‘Der Kampf um die Kultur – Ostdeutschland vor der Wahl’, explores how culture is becoming a political battlefield in East Germany ahead of the 2026 elections. The film examines the struggle for cultural sovereignty, questioning who will decide what is funded, remembered, and narrated in the future.

The documentary highlights the pressure on cultural workers and the role of social media in these disputes. It specifically addresses the AfD’s push for a ‘patriotic cultural policy’ and features perspectives from various figures, including Sachsen-Anhalt Minister President Sven Schulze, AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund, and the director of the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation.

In a broader context, discussions regarding the state of German society highlight various challenges, including the impact of extreme heat, environmental changes, and the political tensions surrounding upcoming state elections.