Eastern German states address far-right trends and history education ahead of elections

Ahead of upcoming state elections in eastern Germany, educational institutions and state authorities are responding to growing concerns over political extremism and cultural policy. Teachers report an increase in far-right symbols and rhetoric among students, prompting Thuringia's education ministry to partner with the University of Jena on deploying "constitutional coaches" to assist schools with democracy education.

Simultaneously, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for victims of the SED dictatorship, called for mandatory student visits to former East German memorial sites to address gaps in historical knowledge. The measures coincide with heightened debate surrounding identity and culture, as proposals by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) to reduce funding for cultural projects deemed "anti-German" raise concerns regarding their potential impact on historical memorials and regional theaters.

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