Author: Hilmar Klute | Süddeutsche Zeitung
Source: Original Article
Publication Date: October 23, 2025
Summary Reading Time: 2 minutes
Executive Summary
The commentator criticizes the excessive societal outrage over Chancellor Friedrich Merz's controversial "cityscape" statements and argues that this energy should be better directed against the real enemies of democracy - the AfD. The central thesis: Germany is wasting its democratic forces on the wrong front while right-wing extremist parties sit in parliaments. The recommendation for action is clear: focus criticism on the actual threats to democracy rather than on conservative rhetoric.
Main Summary
a) Core Topic & Context
The article addresses the societal reaction to controversial statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding migration and cityscapes. The author views this outrage as a strategic mistake in times of genuine democratic threat from extremist forces.
b) Key Facts & Numbers
• 558 comments on the original article demonstrate high public response • Original commentary reading time: 3 minutes • Timeline: Current political debate in October 2025 • Parties involved: CDU (Merz), AfD as main point of criticism • Context: AfD already sits in city councils, state parliaments, and the Bundestag • Philosophical reference: Peter Sloterdijk on European identity formation through "real enemies"
c) Stakeholders & Those Affected
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) - at the center of criticism • German society - divided in assessment • AfD representatives - identified as actual enemies of democracy • Media landscape - amplifies the outrage dynamic • Democratic parties - should refocus their forces
d) Opportunities & Risks
Risks: • Waste of democratic energy on secondary targets • Distraction from the actual extremist threat • Weakening of the democratic center through internal conflicts • Normalization of the AfD by focusing on conservative rhetoric
Opportunities: • Refocusing on real enemies of democracy could unite forces • Clearer opposition to extremism • Strengthening of the democratic center through common opposition
e) Action Relevance
Strategic implication: Media and society should use their critical energy more strategically - less excitement over conservative positions, more resistance against extremist forces. Time-critical aspect: With AfD presence at all parliamentary levels, there is urgent need for coherent defense of democracy.
Fact Check
The fundamentals mentioned in the article are verifiable: The AfD is indeed represented in municipal parliaments, state parliaments, and the Bundestag. Merz has made controversial statements on migration that provoked societal criticism. ✅ Facts verified on October 23, 2025
Bibliography
Primary Source: • Merz und die deutsche Empörungskultur - Süddeutsche Zeitung
Supplementary Sources: • AfD Election Results and Parliamentary Presence - Federal Election Commissioner • Current Party Poll Numbers - Forschungsgruppe Wahlen • Democracy Monitor Germany - Bertelsmann Foundation
Verification Status: ✅ Facts verified on October 23, 2025