German political figures warn of rising social anger and polarization

Psychologists and political figures are analyzing the rising atmosphere of anger and polarization in Germany ahead of regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt.

Psychotherapist Stefanie Stahl suggests that political aggression often stems from feelings of powerlessness and fear. She notes that while fear makes individuals feel small, anger provides an illusion of control, which can drive voters toward radical parties. Stahl highlights that social media exacerbates this by prioritizing outrage-driven content over nuanced debate.

Former SPD politician Wolfgang Thierse echoed these concerns, describing a societal atmosphere characterized by hate. He argued that the slow, compromise-based nature of democracy is increasingly at odds with a public seeking rapid solutions to complex crises like AI development and military technology. Thierse warned that parties acting as ‘entrepreneurs of indignation,’ such as the AfD and BSW, benefit from the growing gap between high public expectations for political ‘salvation’ and the reality of democratic processes.