Eastern German states face growing educational and cultural debates ahead of elections

Debates surrounding political influence, historical memory, and educational resources are mounting across eastern Germany and Berlin ahead of upcoming regional elections. Educators in eastern states report an increase in far-right symbols among students, while Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for victims of the communist SED regime, has called for mandatory school trips to DDR memorial sites to strengthen historical awareness. In Saxony-Anhalt, political controversy has heightened over proposals from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) to revoke public funding from cultural projects deemed "anti-German," raising concerns for local heritage and memorial sites. Meanwhile, identity politics continue to feature prominently in regional election campaigns. In Berlin, the school system faces further strain as official data reveals nearly 400 teachers have been on long-term sick leave for over a year.

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