Biermann: In the former GDR, what belongs together grows together

The lyricist and songwriter Wolf Biermann sees many similarities between the AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance. "Wagenknecht and Höcke are the political bride and groom of the moment. What belongs together in the former GDR is growing together: the heirs of Hitler's National Socialism and Stalin's National Communism," Biermann told the weekly newspaper "Die Zeit" with a view to the state elections in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia in September.

"The blue AfD and Wagenknecht's false reds are both on Putin's side in this bloody war in Ukraine. True browns and false reds despise the rainbow colors of democracy," said Biermann, who was expatriated from the GDR in 1976.

The former GDR dissident explained the behaviour of their sympathizers: "Those who were too cowardly in the dictatorship are now rebelling against democracy without risk. They whine about the comforts of dictatorship and the hardships of democracy are alien to them." Their shame eats away at their self-esteem. "They glorify their old lives and vote for AfD or Sahra Wagenknecht's new company."

Biermann conceded that the overall picture is more nuanced: "There is no such thing as a simple Ossi anyway, even I know that. And that's what I'm hoping for now ahead of the state elections: Many are voting for a colorful democracy. They are voting for the CDU, SPD, Greens and DDP without the romanticism of angry citizens. And that makes my old heart happy."