Future debate: How Germany is regaining faith in politics

Future debate: How Germany is regaining faith in politics

In the midst of breathtaking changes and a noticeable “loss of certainty,” Professor Dr. Karl-Rudolf Korte gave a powerful speech at the Stapelfeld Catholic Academy last week. At the 18th “Evening of Caritas” on June 12, 2025, he encouraged the 110 guests present to make positive changes in Germany, which is facing numerous challenges. Korte called for “celebrations of freedom” and recalled how many people gave their lives for democracy. He described Germans' trust in politics as weakened and called for a new approach to unpopular issues, such as the controversial heating law, which many citizens perceive as a threat to their “feeling at home”.

A central concern of Korte was the development of a “competence to do without”, i.e. the ability to get by with less. This is particularly important at a time when many Germans complain about negative aspects instead of looking for solutions. The last election campaign was described as having a “poor future” because issues such as “cheaper housing, cheaper shopping and cheaper fuel” were not the focus. In this context, Korte found that many voters act paradoxically: They demand quick decisions, but also want more say.

Challenges of climate policy

One of the most important topics that Korte addressed was the heating law, which was designed as part of the heating transition to make Germany independent of Russian gas and to promote more climate-friendly heating. However, there are challenges: populist campaigns have significantly hindered progress. According to a report by Bayerische Rundfunk, the influence of populist arguments on climate policy decisions is strong. Typical patterns such as polemical exaggerations and fear-mongering have undermined public trust in climate laws. Linguistic subtleties such as “Habeck's heating hammer” or “Energy Stasi” show how populist actors discredit the heating law by stoking fears among the population and giving the impression that citizens' freedom is being taken away.

The Heating Act therefore not only represents a necessary change, but also becomes a political issue that requires clear communication and social justice. It was found that social challenges and economic aspects are not sufficiently taken into account in the law, which contributes to the skepticism of many citizens.

The longing for change

The Körber Foundation survey illustrates the tense political situation: 60 percent of those surveyed would like politicians to be more assertive, while at the same time they reject an expansion of executive powers. A paradoxical picture emerges: although many support faster decision-making, they are skeptical of populist parties. 69 percent of participants see populism as a threat to democracy, although this view is shared more widely by older and West German citizens.

The situation is clearly tense and the political discussion urgently needs fresh impulses. Dr. Gerhard Tepe, the Caritas director, spoke of an “intelligence of the heart” and emphasized the importance of placing disadvantaged people at the center of political decisions. This also forms the basis for social cohesion, which needs to be protected now more than ever.

Overall, the event reflects that Germany is facing a groundbreaking process that must be shaped by active citizen participation, thoughtful communication and a clear focus on social justice. In these turbulent times it is important to stand up for democracy.