Verbinden statt spalten: Eine Antwort auf die Politik der Polarisierung. Lesung und Diskussion mit Gilda Sahebi

In the context of the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, polarizing narratives are expected to reach a peak: campaign posters, talk shows, and social media feeds will paint a picture of a deeply divided society. But how accurate is this assessment? After all, according to the SKL Happiness Atlas 2025, nearly one in two people in Germany describe themselves as highly satisfied with their lives.

In her book *Connecting Instead of Dividing*, journalist and author Gilda Sahebi explores this discrepancy between individual satisfaction and the narrative of societal crisis. She examines the causes, drivers, and beneficiaries of the polarization narrative and debunks myths and “fake facts” on topics such as migration, social benefits, war, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why there is more that unites us than divides us—that’s what we want to discuss with Gilda Sahebi. We want to understand where the sense of connection is being lost and ask: How can we foster a more nuanced and solidarity-based view of our society? What can we do to counter narratives of polarization in the tense climate of the election campaign?