Education and identity politics take center stage ahead of eastern German elections

Ahead of upcoming regional elections in eastern Germany, debates over education, political culture, and historical memory have intensified. Teachers in eastern state schools report an increase in far-right symbols and extremist behavior among students, prompting calls for reinforced civic education. To address knowledge gaps concerning communist rule, federal commissioner Evelyn Zupke proposed mandatory school visits to former East German memorial sites.

Simultaneously, identity politics remains prominent in election campaigns. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Alternative for Germany party sparked controversy by proposing to strip public funding from cultural projects it considers "anti-German."

Meanwhile, in Berlin, public education faces administrative challenges as Senate data revealed almost 400 teachers have been on continuous sick leave for more than a year.

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