Saxony-Anhalt: AfD polling at over 40 percent

Political parties must engage in conflict more openly, argues sociologist Nils C. Kumkar in a guest commentary in Der Spiegel:

“In a heated debate about social policy, for instance, the AfD would likely have little to contribute. And when other parties are on the verge of making important decisions on policy direction, the AfD’s naysayer stance becomes significantly less appealing. However, new political constellations require openness to unexpected and challenging developments – developments that are likely to go against individual political convictions. … Finding the courage to engage in conflict over fundamental principles is a demanding task, but it is arguably the only realistic solution to counter the AfD.”