As Caritas, we have three levers to actively combat right-wing populism.
Caritas-Präsidentin Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa at the launch of the annual campaign Peace begins with me in Leipzig Grünau on 22. January 2024J.J. Behlen
More and more people in Germany are expressing their intention to give their vote in the next election to parties which are definitely classified as right-wing extremist in part. How does Caritas view this development?
Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa: For Caritas, the growing support that right-wing populism and right-wing extremist ideologies are receiving in Germany is of great concern. How could it come to pass that an "alternative” which deliberately transforms dissatisfaction with the political situation into unrest has established itself so broadly? For years, their course has been intensifying, and they have been systematically shifting the boundaries of what is allowed to be uttered. Contemptuous of humanity and directed against the fundamental principles of the rule of law. Up to now, every radicalisation of the stances has only resulted in more voters feeling that their needs are being addressed...
Now that Correctiv’s investigations have gone public, no-one can continue to turn a blind eye to the extent of the violations of fundamental rights which are planned by the hardliners and their supporters. If the results of the upcoming elections were to affirm election forecasts, politicians aligned with Nazi traditions would have important instruments at hand to implement their dangerous ideas. Dangerous for democracy and dangerous for the welfare state, but also dangerous for our economy.
In our democracy, even if the strongest party does not have an absolute majority, it has significant political weight. This is particularly the case when the other parties are not united. This is reminiscent of the darkest hours of German history. As Caritas, we want to do everything in our power to prevent this from happening.
What can and will Caritas do?
As a social services organisation, we have a great responsibility and, in my estimation, at least three levers at our disposal. First: with our work in counselling centres, in youth social work, in railway mission stations, we are close to people and their hardships. We help in real terms to overcome these hardships and provide hope for the future. We prevent social distress from turning into a breeding ground for divisive populists. We do this based on a system of values which is clearly conveyed to our employees and our clients in everyday interactions: we stand for human dignity and solidarity; we bear witness that tolerance and democracy are prerequisites for our coexistence that must not be jeopardised.
Furthermore, we have the opportunity, and this is the second lever, to shape the many dialogue situations that arise in our daily lives - with colleagues, with those seeking advice - in such a way that political concerns are also addressed. We want to strategically intensify this within the framework of our annual campaign "Peace begins with me". Our mirror stickers, which we are placing in all facilities and services in bathrooms and cloakrooms, in kitchens and in lifts, signal: Peace begins with me. This is where the future is being decided. We choose democracy.
And what is the third lever?
We have publicly stood alongside many other organisations, institutions and people who are raising their voices for basic democratic values and for the vision of a society of solidarity. The German Caritas Association is one of several hundred organisations in the alliance #WirSindDieBrandmauer (We are the firewall). The alliance aims to be a "firewall” in the truest sense of the word. For example, on 3 February, 2024, it formed a human chain around the Reichstag, and I was there.
It's important to say this: at many points, on local and regional levels, many Caritas Associations have already participated in similar initiatives. We show our colours. Posters bear the text: "Unser Kreuz hat keine Haken” ("Our cross is no swastika”). We know what this means: the Flame Cross stands for charity, for human rights, for seeing need and taking action. It is completely irreconcilable with incitement to hatred, with racial notions of "insiders” and "outsiders”.
The demonstrations show us: we are not alone. We are not few in number. Many want to contribute to averting threats to our democracy. This gives us joint courage.
Because we know: "Never again is now.” We already made this clear at our delegate assembly in the autumn of 2024.
What do you mean?
At the assembly, I thought back to Gertrud Luckner who, 80 years ago in the Reichsprogromnacht (the Night of Broken Glass), rode her bike from house to house to warn her fellow Jewish citizens. We too will have to go "house to house”. Gertrud Luckner was a Caritas employee during the Nazi era and, having survived the Ravensbrück concentration camp, continued her commitment to promoting democracy and understanding among peoples in the young Federal Republic of Germany after World War II.
What does that mean in actual terms for today?
I’ve hinted at it already: in social work, we come into contact with many people. We accompany them, we help them. We talk together. Every Caritas staff member, whether full-time or volunteer, is an ambassador for a different vision of society than the one propagated by right-wing populists. They are peacebuilders - visible within the framework of our annual campaign "Peace begins with me”. As a result of the campaign, by inviting everyone to reflect on their own contribution to peace and the future, we address the individual level, upon which it all ultimately depends. Because on election day, everyone stands alone at the ballot box.