February 5, 2026 / 7 p.m. / Literature Café

Crises, wars and conflicts, uncertainty and loss of trust, populism and polarization: Liberal democracies like Germany are under pressure worldwide to overcome new and global challenges to a modern society while at the same time preserving and defending their liberal and pluralistic core. The gateways for anti-democratic forces and far-right ideologies are wide open. They also and especially resonate in the middle of society. Is democracy at a tipping point? (Dietz 2025)

Every two years since 2006, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has commissioned an empirical survey of the prevalence of right-wing extremist, misanthropic and anti-democratic attitudes in Germany. On the basis of a nationwide representative survey, an indicator for illiberal ideas of democracy and anti-democratic orientations is created in conjunction with an analysis of possible causes. The new FES "Mitte Study" 2024/25 aims to stimulate debate on the state of democracy and create an understanding of how attitudes that threaten democracy function and spread. We will present the study and discuss its findings with the audience.

Free admission

Event organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Saxony office