Germany maintains its stability
In the aftermath of World War II, a peaceful revolution paved the way for unity, marking the beginning of a new era for Germany. On May 23, 1949, the Basic Law came into force, establishing the Federal Republic of Germany, a milestone that signified the founding day of the modern German state.
However, the path to democracy was not without its challenges. The first German democracy was repeatedly threatened by political and economic crises, with no Reichstag surviving a full legislative period. The Weimar Constitution, which set absolute popular sovereignty, was plagued by structural flaws that contributed to its destabilization.
The Weimar Republic's downfall saw the rise of extremist forces, with the KPD and NSDAP engaging in brutal street fights through paramilitary organizations like the SA and the Red Front Fighters' League. The KPD and NSDAP fought the Weimar Republic to its bitter end in 1932, achieving a "negative majority" in the two Reichstag elections of that year.
The Chancellor Democracy and Party Democracy were reactions to the Weimar era, aiming to stabilize the political system and prevent a repeat of the past. Yet, the weight of Chancellor Democracy has decreased, and the party system has expanded significantly over the years.
The 68er movement, a youth-led social movement that emerged in the 1960s, called for a "march through the institutions," advocating for change from within the established system. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a fear among some observers that the stability of the Federal Republic could be threatened from the left.
Half a century ago, a comprehensive scientific assessment of the local democracy was published under the auspices of two professors. The voluminous work was titled "The Second Republic." Today, the Federal Republic is often more appreciated abroad than at home.
In recent years, concerns about the democratic rule of law have arisen. In April 2021, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution introduced the phenomenon area "constitutionally relevant delegitimization of the state" amid protests against COVID-19 measures. The new category lumps many into a new group, whose intent to abolish the democratic rule of law is at least questionable. However, the opposition movement does not have widely publicized or clearly named current leadership figures.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's designation of this opposition movement as a "constitutionally relevant delegitimization of the state" does not specify individual leaders of the 2021 designated opposition movement. The sources discuss right-wing extremist groups like the Identitarian Movement Germany (IdentitΓ€re Bewegung Deutschland) and broader right-wing and extremist threats but do not specify individual leaders of the 2021 designated opposition movement.
Looking back, it is clear that Germany's political evolution has been marked by both progress and setbacks. The Federal Republic of Germany, older than its three predecessor systems - the Empire, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich - combined, stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the German people in rebuilding their nation and establishing a stable democratic system.
