How Can Civil Society Counter the Far Right? Lessons from Poland and Germany

How Can Civil Society Counter the Far Right? Lessons from Poland and Germany
Roundtable with Grzegorz Ekiert, Heike Radvan, and Heike Kleffner
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has triumphed in recent state elections in Eastern Germany. While the public and scholarly debate often focuses on party strategies and protecting institutional buffers against democratic erosion, the rise of the far right in Germany and other European countries has severe consequences for civil society organizations, initiatives, and engaged citizens committed to a diverse and democratic society. However, civil society is not staying silent. Across Germany, hundreds of thousands have been taking to the streets to defend democracy since the beginning of the year.
On Thursday, November 7th, 2024, Grzegorz Ekiert kicked off the debate with an overview of the situation and lessons learned from Poland. Following his input, Grzegorz Ekiert will engage in a discussion with Heike Kleffner and Heike Radvan, who will reflect on what these lessons might mean for the current situation in (Eastern) Germany.
The event was part of the workshop “Politics within Civil Society. How the rise of new cleavages and the far right transform civil society” on 7./ 8. November 2024 and the Lecture Series Civil Society and Political Conflict.