Historian Warns of Authoritarian Trends in Europe

Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk, a historian from East Germany, has expressed concerns regarding the potential decline of Western democracies, suggesting that Europe is on the brink of authoritarianism. In a recent interview in Vienna, he stated that the phenomenon known as 'Orbánization'--a reference to the political strategies of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán--represents the minimal threat facing Austria, Germany, and other nations today. Kowalczuk expressed hope that he is mistaken in his predictions.

He noted that the political situation in the United States under former President Donald Trump has considerable influence on European political movements. Kowalczuk remarked that there are influential figures across Europe who aspire to replicate the political climate seen in the U.S.

Looking ahead to the anticipated coalition government in Germany, Kowalczuk predicted substantial challenges, highlighting that the necessity for compromise between the coalition parties could lead to disillusionment among their supporters. This discontent, he warned, may empower extremist factions.

Kowalczuk also commented on the migration policies of the CDU party leader, suggesting that he is maneuvering within his party to suppress members who are inclined to collaborate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

He emphasized the alarming lack of awareness among many in Germany and Western Europe regarding the precariousness of their current political structures. Kowalczuk, having grown up in a dictatorship, understands how such regimes operate and noted that many people adapt to oppressive systems.

His observations extend to the United States, where he expressed surprise at the relative silence following Trump's electoral defeat, despite the significant number of individuals who did not support him.

During his visit to Vienna, Kowalczuk delivered a lecture on the factors contributing to the rise of the AfD in East Germany. He argued that the division between East and West is less pronounced than the divide between urban and rural areas. Kowalczuk refuted the common narrative that East Germans were 'colonized' by Western policies post-reunification, asserting that a majority of East Germans supported immediate reunification.

He described the prevailing notion that the DDR (German Democratic Republic) represented a mass uprising for freedom as a fallacy, noting that only a minority actively participated in revolutionary movements, with the majority later aligning with them.

According to Kowalczuk, the rise of the AfD can be traced back to the 1990s when neo-fascist sentiments were prevalent among youth in East Germany. He highlighted that extremism emerged from the middle of society and was often supported by familial figures.

He characterized the political landscape in East Germany as unique, evolving more swiftly and radically than in other regions, and advocated for the establishment of new democratic elements and a reformation of established political parties to address societal needs.

Kowalczuk stressed the importance of addressing significant issues such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and social welfare during election campaigns, as these topics have been neglected by various parties, which has contributed to the success of leftist political movements.

In his call for greater civic courage, Kowalczuk urged individuals to challenge xenophobic remarks in public discourse, asserting that the majority of people still value freedom and democracy.