Oberhausen discussed: AfD success meets with sharp criticism!

Oberhausen discussed: AfD success meets with sharp criticism!

In Oberhausen the waves have been raised after the local elections. Letters to the editor are mainly devoted to the AfD and its increased presence in the city. Critical voices about the party are at the core of many complaints. “I’m ashamed,” said a reader who found the voter turnout and votes for the AfD worrying. This reflects an overall growing unease towards a party that is committed to democratic values, but at the same time breaks off communication with the press and does not offer any concrete solutions to pressing problems, as Waz reports.

But it's not just the AfD that is attracting attention. Readers also complain about the new police headquarters building. Conversations about invasive tree felling and the problem of space consumption are current. There are proposals for alternative locations that could meet with wider public support.

Criticism of the AfD and its representatives

It is important to take a look at the people who hide behind the AfD's successful candidates. Bruno Joachim Wolff, who is running in sixth place on the AfD list in Oberhausen, speaks primarily for a moderate and conservative demeanor. But close connections to extreme ideologies cannot be overlooked. On his YouTube channel @silberrueckenwolff he shows playlists that include music by the ethnic singer Frank Rennicke and shares recordings of the Identitarian Movement, as Esreich reports. This raises questions about how far the acute social tendencies of right-wing extremist structures penetrate into politics.

The AfD is viewed by experts as a central party in the spectrum of right-wing extremism. Current assessments highlight that the party has been classified as “certainly right-wing extremist” since 2025. This development shows that right-wing extremist actors benefit from a certain stability and differentiation in their offerings, which strengthens their position of power. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, right-wing extremism is a continuing threat to democracy in Germany, supported by social crises and potential demand for such extreme offers.

Concerns about democracy

The developments are alarming and are causing concern among many citizens. Readers report concerns about democracy and call for measures to stabilize conditions in order to strengthen trust in political institutions. It is repeatedly emphasized that communication between voters and parties must be crucial in order to live democracy and not just use it as a slogan.

Other topics that are close to readers' hearts are the long waiting times at the vehicle registration office and the city administration's inadequate public relations work. There is a feeling that the city administration often does not meet citizens' expectations, which leads to frustration and dissatisfaction.

Overall, it appears that the elections and the ongoing debates on various issues in Oberhausen paint a picture of a city caught in a constant dilemma between progress and regression. Whether these challenges can be overcome remains to be seen. Citizens' voices will still need to be heard to sustain positive change.