SIEG: Photojournalism – The German Elections

Posted on August 31, 2009 at 10:04 am

Mich hält kein Band,
Mich fesselt keine Schranke,
Frei swing’ ich mich durch alle Räume fort,
Mein unermeßlich Reich ist der Gedanke,
Und mein geflügelt Werkzeug ist das Wort.

No bond restrains me,
No barrier restricts me,
I flow freely through space,
Where thought is my infinite kingdom,
And my instrument is the written word.

The Memorial to Friedrich Schiller in Marbach, Baden-Württemberg

Memorial to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller, with a temporary addition of a deranged Franz Liszt in Weimar

Recognized as the classical defender of freedom and rights, the poet and dramatist Friedrich Schiller wrote this verse just over 200 years ago.  Famous for dramas such as Maria Stuart and William Tell, Schiller was also the inspiration for Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, the Ode to Joy, which is now the official hymn of the European Union.  With this quotation from the heart of Weimar as the first stepping stone, the following article intends to portray the freedom of expression within the system of proportional representation and ultimately, wherein the essence of democracy lies.

Before delving straight into the political diversity of Weimar, a short history of the town is pertinent.  Along with Schiller, the classical geniuses of German classicism and romanticism of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries gravitated towards Weimar, with the result that the town became the cultural and literary capital of the region.  During the early twentieth century, after WWI and end of the German monarchy, the town gave its name to the newly formed government, the Weimar Republic.  After the failure of democracy in Germany and the rise of Adolf Hitler, Weimar continued to represent the heights of German culture thanks to its literary heritage. However, it also adopted the basest of all inhumanities, with the construction of the Buchenwald concentration camp north of the town train station.  After the Second World War, Weimar was placed under Soviet control in the former East Germany.  As a result of its diverse past, today’s Weimar is home to a great variety of political parties, from Communists to Neo-Nazis and everything in between.

Die Grünen (the Green Party) currently have a plethora of political posters coating the streets of Weimar.  Not only do the Greens probably have the greatest number of campaign posters, but they have also presented the widest array of campaign promises.  From their slogans, it is clear that the Greens do not just advocate environmental policies; the posters actively seek to engage the youth vote, attract the attention of families as well as the working class.  That is quite a hefty campaign from a party that is currently not represented in the Thüringen state government.

The Greens tend to adopt home-made or childish charm in their campaign posters.  This example illustrates the clear attempt to reach the youth audience, with the discernibly Simpson-esque appearance of their candidate.

Alt Raus, Grün Rein! (Old out, Green in!)  Traditionally a weak party in former East Germany, the Greens are attempting to portray themselves as the new method of left politics, without the stigma of the traditionally strong SPD (see below) or Die Linke (see below).

Runter vom Thron!  (Down from the Throne!) Following a similar strain of thought, the Greens present themselves as the party to take out the tyrant of traditional politics.

Gemeinsam bis zur 9. Klasse! Wachstum durch Bildung? (Together until 9th Grade! Growth through Education?)  With an overcomplicated schooling system, Germany employs a number of different types of schools, which by the age of 10 determine whether a child is capable of attending college.  In the attempt to reform the schooling system, multiple parties are advocating that students cannot be funneled off into “apprentice” schools until the American equivalent of high school.  Furthermore, the upper poster advertises a forum to be held by the Greens in Weimar discussing the potential of economic growth through education.

Stoppt Gentechnik. Födert Bio! (Stop Genetic Enhancement.  Support the Organic!)  A major topic of discussion, and naturally important for the Green party, is the ban of genetically enhanced crops.

A narrowed, more extreme form of the Green party is the Ökologisch-Demokratische Partei, the Ecological Democrats Party (ÖDP).  They advocate the interests of dedicated environmentalists and fund their campaign proudly without the help of “Business Money.”  They currently are not represented in Thüringen.

Keine Experimente mit unserem Essen!  (No Experiments with our Food!)  The meaning of the slogan is clear, but interesting to note is the billowing flag of the European Union in the background.

Die Welt hat genug für jedermanns Bedürfnisse, aber nicht für jedermanns Gier. (The world has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed.)  This slogan was adapted from a quotation by Mahatma Gandhi.

Gute Politik muss nicht teuer sein! Sonnenenergie vor Ort, statt viel Geld für Öl-Import! (Good politics do not have to be expensive!  Solar power instead of billions for oil imports!)  – Naturally a central concern for any environmentalist.
Taking a step away from zealous environmentalism, the Marxistisch-Leninistische Partei Deutschlands, or Marxist-Lenin Party of Germany (MLPD), presents itself as the “socialist alternative” for the country and pursues a zealous communist party line.  Like the Greens and ÖDP, they are also not represented in Thüringen.

Vertrauen ist gut – Kontrolle ist besser! (Trust is good – Control is better!)  Following a quotation from Lenin, state regulation is clearly the buzz-word for this party.

Jugend will Zukunft – Rebellion ist gerechtfertigt! (The youth want a future – rebellion is justified!)  Perhaps this poster needs no explanation…but interestingly the protesting students are carrying a flag written in Greek.

Moving back into the realm of practical politics, the leftist party known as Die Linke (The Left) does reach the requirement for representation (five percent of the vote) and holds seats in the Bundestag.  In Thüringen, they are the second strongest party after the CDU (see below) and before the SPD (see below).  Traditionally much stronger in East Germany, the Left also has relative success in the West as well.

Gerechte Lohne. Bildung Stärken. (Fair Wages! Strengthen Education!) The Left traditionally advocates the needs of low-paid workers and strongly supports a minimum wage.  Additionally they support the reformation of the German school system.  In these two respects, as advertised on these posters, the Greens and the Left are on the same page.

Leben in Würde. (Live with Dignity)  Additionally the Left seeks to increase welfare for the elderly and ensure government provided care.

Another small party which can be found across the country is the Freie Wähler, the Free Voters.  The free voters advocate a policy practically entirely founded on the fact that they are not one of the main German political parties.  By their logic, change is good, and that is all one needs to know.  Their slogan reads: The Free Voters – Who Else?

And now for, alas, the SPD: Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands.  The Social Democrats are currently campaigning for the head of government in Germany – and are not doing too well.  By only looking at their campaign, there are numerous pointers that would indicate their struggle.  Foremost, although there may be nearly as many posters for the SPD as the Greens, they are all the same poster:

Thomas Notzke is not necessarily an unattractive man, but his face does not illustrate the party values either.  Instead of bringing their message to the people, the SPD seems content to rely on the belief that the people already know who they are and what they stand for.  Granted, they are an influential party in East and West Germany, but that does not mean that every citizen would therefore know the party platform by heart.  The SPD’s flawed campaign does not inform one that they too advocate minimum wage, at no less than €7.5, the same sum as the Greens.  Or that they intend to reform the school system, or that they seek a new path from ‘traditional’ politics, or that they seek a new form of “sozial regieren” (social governing) for Thüringen, the very same slogan that is written across a great many posters from the Left Party.  Also of note, the only alternative SPD poster to Herr Notzke to be found in Weimar is an old ad for a forum held a few weeks ago:

Quite disappointing really…

Leaving the SPD aside, quite a different group of politicians are seeking election in Weimar.  Known as the “liberal” party, the Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP) tends to form coalitions with the CDU (see below), but more generally will form a coalition with any willing party in order to bring their policies to the forefront.  Of particular interest would be that even though this party colloquially refers to itself as “the Liberals,” they are actually conservative on the German scale of politics.  In the Thüringen state government, they do not have representation.

Für Ihre Zukunft in Thüringen! (For your future in Thüringen!) Traditionally viewed as a center-right party, the FDP does not offer the standard platform of most parties in Weimar.  Typically distant from social policies, the Liberals have based their campaign here on a bit of fluff.  With us, the future will look good.  Trust is all you need.

Damit die Bildung nicht das Sparprogramm wird. (So that education does not become a savings-program.)  As previously stated, the FDP likes making coalitions with the top bidder.  Considering the plurality of German political parties, the FDP often serves as that perfect partner to reach a majority coalition.  As such, in the case of public education, the Liberals like to say that education is a Bundesland (state) concern, not an issue for the central government.  This policy assists them in adjusting their platform from state to state, depending on how social or conservative the voters are.  Thüringen leans towards a social state.

Using the FDP as a stepping stone, the next party is not only the most conservative party represented in the Bundestag, but also the most powerful.  The Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) is the party of Angela Merkel, a native of East Germany.  Within Thüringen, the CDU has more representation than the Left and SPD combined.

Hauptsache Thüringen! (Main Priority: Thüringen!)  The CDU employs generally the same tactic as the SPD, but for them, it works.  The campaign posters present a face, and the only thing to recognize, is that this is the face of the CDU.  As the moderate conservative party in Germany, they do not need to compete with other similarly oriented parties, not even the free-market Liberals (Doesn’t that sound intriguing to the American audience?).  This state of affairs stands in great contrast with the SPD, who instead of following the CDU approach of campaigning, should prove that it is the moderate social party in Germany by presenting a platform instead of a candidate’s face.

Zukunft macht man nicht mit links! (The future is not made with the left!)  Again, as the strongest party in Thüringen, the CDU only implies: We have served you well in the past, trust us with the future.

Now moving back into the realm of the unrepresented, Thüringen does not only have extreme left parties, but also an extreme right – racists, fascists, Neo-Nazis… whatever name you choose to give them.  The term “unrepresented” in this case applies specifically to Thüringen.  In East Germany, the NPD (Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschland, “National Democrats Party of Germany”) has been elected to the state governments.  In Sachsen and in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern there are Neo-Nazi Congressmen.  In Brandenburg there is another group called DVU that is also extreme right.

Note: The following posters are offensive, but they are still a part of the political diversity of Weimar and therefore will be presented.

Arbeit zuerst für Deutsche! Heimreise statt Einreise! (Jobs for Germans First! Ride home instead of riding In!)  Clearly fascist , clearly racist.  The NPD does not approve of immigrants.

VATER:land – MUTTER:sprache – KINDER:glück.  Thüringen braucht die Rechte! (FATHER:land – MOTHER:tongue – CHILDREN:s Happiness.  Thüringen needs the right!)  What is perhaps most surprising, is the lack of restraint in referring to the standards of Hitler’s National Socialist program.  If the swastika was not an illegal symbol in Germany, it would probably be placed directly on these campaign posters.

Witnessing these posters is painful, especially given Weimar’s presence in the “Final Solution.”  Just north of the town lies Buchenwald.  Within Weimar itself one may witness the following sign referring to the march of death endured by those murdered by the National Socialists:

That Neo-Nazis campaign in Weimar is horrific, and yet intriguing.  However, as previously stated, the NPD does not have representation in Thüringen.  Acts of vandalism against Neo-Nazi ideology are common.  For instance, take a look at a personal favorite of NPD advertising:

This poster was ripped down from the street post, torn in half, and then thrown into some shrubs.

At Goetheplatz, the central station for busses and the city center, the preceding sticker can be seen.  Kein Ort für Neonazis in Thüringen! (There is no place for Neo-Nazis in Thüringen!)

Just for fun: This poster can be found in Nürnberg, Bavaria. The Pirate Party has a presence across Germany and even has sailed through Berlin on a boat with their own Pirate Flags. Klarmachen zum Ändern! (Smooth Sailing to Change!)

The political diversity in Weimar, and the rest of Germany, is interesting.  There are communists.  There are Neo-Nazis.  But there are also socialists, capitalists, environmentalists and moderates; there are even pirates. The extremes are freely allowed to campaign.  The public is freely allowed to choose.  The result is that the public votes heavily for the moderates, CDU and SPD, as well as the socialist Left Party.  But even the Left is moderate when one looks at the full spectrum.  There is something to be said of this system:

Weimar is truly a democracy.