Robert Probst in the Süddeutsche: ‘In the collective memory of the Germans, when they think of the Weimar Republic, three great fears are, it’s a kind of armchair psychology, deeply imprinted: the fear of inflation, the fear of a global economic crisis, and the fear of minority governments.”

Also: ‘Political scientist Christian Stecker argues that governments that have imposed on themselves the rule never to work with other parties wear themselves down over time, and that ultimately this is also bad for democracy.’

And: ‘The author does not engage at all with the AfD’s hostility to democracy and right-wing extremism, which is another clear shortcoming. Nevertheless, Stecker deserves credit for having accurately analyzed the CDU’s dilemma.’

The election in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in September will tell us something about the strength of the firewall against the AfD. Currently, the AfD is polling above 40%.

Absolute rule is close.

(a sf 2209)