Former SPD leader Kurt Beck warns of Weimar‑era parallels in Germany

Former Social Democratic Party chairman Kurt Beck cautioned that Germany’s democracy faces dangers reminiscent of the Weimar Republic. Speaking in Berlin, he highlighted the growing support for the far‑right AfD and the upcoming state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern in September. Beck said none of the democratic parties have a clear strategy to counter the AfD’s appeal and warned that the threat to democracy comes primarily from the right. He urged the SPD to openly debate the value of democracy and the risks of extremism from both sides of the political spectrum.

Beck’s remarks came amid concerns over poor election results and poll numbers for mainstream parties, and he called for a discussion on how to protect democratic institutions.