HSV coach Steffen Baumgart admonishes German politicians because of the AfD’s increasing electoral successes – and sees this as a “failure” in dealing with the people there, especially in his East German homeland.
“It’s not all just idiots who vote for the AfD,” says the 52-year-old in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FASZ): Many would simply feel “not picked up” and treated condescendingly. Then it is “clear that people are getting frustrated. And when someone picks you up when you’re frustrated, that’s unfortunately the breeding ground for the worst shit. We’ve seen this before. The fact that people forget that, that many in politics may have underestimated it, is what’s frightening to me.”
Baumgart refuses to be lectured
From Baumgart’s point of view, instructions of any kind are counterproductive: “Most of the Americans I know don’t want to listen to what our history was like, how we lived, what went wrong with us, what was good for us. Why? Because none of those who believe they can explain what it was like in the GDR have experienced it.”
The Rostock native emphasizes that the AfD is not just an Eastern phenomenon and is a challenge for everyone: “A functioning democracy is also characterized by the fact that you have to deal with people who perhaps don’t have a good idea about democracy.”
Baumgart advises football protagonists to exercise restraint when it comes to political issues. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar we saw “that it is not a good idea to exploit football and drag it into such political issues. At that time we were the only nation that made a fool of itself on this point.”
Baumgart will face HSV against FC Schalke 04 in the top second division game in the evening (LIVE on TV from 7:30 p.m.). SPORT1).
**To what extent do you agree with Steffen Baumgart’s assessment that the AfD’s success stems from a “failure” to address people’s concerns, and what specific concerns should be prioritized to counter this trend?**
## World-Today-News.com presents:
**Facing the Rising Tide: A Discussion on the AfD’s Success and Society’s Response**
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Sarah Klein:** Political Scientist specializing in right-wing populism in Germany.
* **Jens Müller:** Social Worker based in East Germany, working with marginalized communities.
**Interviewer:** We’re joined today by Dr. Sarah Klein and Jens Müller to discuss the recent comments by HSV coach Steffen Baumgart concerning the AfD’s electoral successes and the broader sociopolitical landscape in Germany. Mr. Baumgart points to a “failure” in dealing with the people’s concerns, particularly in eastern Germany, leading to the AfD’s appeal. Dr. Klein, how do you view this statement, and what factors contribute to the AfD’s growing popularity?
**(Section 1: Understanding the AfD’s Appeal)**
* Dr. Klein, you mentioned factors like economic hardship and disillusionment among certain demographics. Could you elaborate on these factors and how they might be fueling voter support for the AfD?
* Mr. Müller, you work directly with communities in East Germany. What kind of concerns are you hearing from people, and do these align with Mr. Baumgart’s observations?
**(Section 2: The East-West Divide)**
* Mr. Baumgart pointed out that the AfD’s influence isn’t limited to the East. While acknowledging the unique challenges faced by eastern Germany, how do you assess the broader national context and the factors contributing to the AfD’s appeal across Germany?
* Dr. Klein, what are the political, economic, and social factors that might contribute to this divide, and how can these divisions be bridged?
**(Section 3: Responding to the AfD Challenge)**
* Mr. Baumgart advocates for addressing underlying concerns and avoiding condescending approaches. What concrete steps can political leaders and institutions take to effectively engage with people who might be drawn to the AfD’s message?
* Dr. Klein, you’ve studied right-wing populism extensively. What strategies, in your view, have proven effective in countering the rise of similar movements in other countries, and could these be adapted to the German context?
**(Section 4: The Role of Football and Public Discourse)**
* Mr. Baumgart cautions against exploiting football for political ends, citing the 2022 World Cup as an example. Do you agree with his stance?
* Dr. Klein, how can society navigate the delicate balance between expressing political views and respecting the unifying nature of sports in a polarized climate?
**(Closing)**
* Final thoughts: What messages do you hope audiences take away from today’s conversation?
This interview format aims to encourage a thoughtful and nuanced discussion on a complex issue, drawing on expert analysis and firsthand experience to shed light on the challenges and potential solutions to the AfD’s rise in Germany.
