Demonstration by AfD opponents on January 14th in Berlin
Image: Getty
The sociologist Armin Nassehi does not believe that the AfD can be fought with protests or good arguments. In the interview he advocates a return to factual politics.
Mr. Nassehi, last weekend hundreds of thousands demonstrated against the AfD. You too?
I had no time. But if I had been in Munich, I would probably have gone.
Why?
Because it makes a great statement. This is of course a very stereotypical description, but it is accurate. Besides, there was also cause for discomfort for me. Some organizers staged their demonstration as an all-round attack against the Union, against the traffic lights, against the “system”. This is how you resemble your opponent. This annoyed many people in Munich. The great thing about such demonstrations is that they reach people who are not part of the left-wing protest culture. They want to express their concern about right-wing radicalism, but don't want to be taken over by it.