Germany, known for its efforts to confront its dark past, is witnessing a rise in far-right movements. The country’s memorial culture, aimed at atoning for atrocities during the Holocaust and World War II, has been criticized as ineffective in stopping the resurgence of extremist groups.
Comedian Jan Böhmermann, who compares himself to John Oliver, believes that Germany’s attempts to “remember away” its Nazi past have inadvertently contributed to the rise of far-right Alternative for Germany Party. This sentiment is echoed by many Germans who feel that the country’s national conversation around its history is becoming increasingly superficial and ineffective.
As a result, some are questioning whether the “Never Again” slogan, meant to prevent similar atrocities from happening again, has lost its potency in the face of growing far-right sentiments. The situation raises concerns about the future of democracy and the impact of Germany’s past on its present.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/opinion/germany-elections-afd.html