Germany faces growing education and cultural debates ahead of eastern elections

Germany’s political and educational landscape faces growing strain ahead of upcoming eastern state elections. Teachers in eastern states report a rise in far-right behavior among students, including prohibited Nazi symbols and slogans. To address gaps in historical knowledge, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for SED dictatorship victims, recommended mandatory student visits to East German memorial sites.

Concurrently, cultural policy has become a central campaign topic. In Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads in polls, the party proposed defunding cultural initiatives deemed "anti-German," drawing criticism over potential risks to memorial sites and regional theaters. Meanwhile, administrative challenges continue in Berlin, where Senate figures revealed that nearly 400 public school teachers have been on medical leave for over a year.

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