Eastern German election debates focus on education, culture, and political identity

Education, cultural heritage, and political identity have taken center stage in German public debate ahead of upcoming eastern state elections. Teachers in eastern states report an increase in far-right behavior and extremist symbols among students, prompting federal SED victims commissioner Evelyn Zupke to advocate for mandatory student visits to East German memorial sites. Meanwhile, cultural institutions face scrutiny in Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads regional polls and proposes defunding initiatives deemed "anti-German." At the same time, regional identity debates continue to escalate across eastern Germany. Separately, Berlin's education department faces staffing hurdles, with nearly 400 teachers remaining on long-term sick leave for over a year.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau