As in other Western countries, notably in the United Kingdom, Canada and especially in the USA ,democracy has been formalized past recognition. Growing political apathy and indifference, especially among younger people is increasingly accompanied by disillusionment and at times disrespect for the basic underpinnings of democracy. Rule of the majority alongside respect of the minority, political fairness, social inclusion, rule of truly impartial law and most of all, responsive, effective and accountable Government are all notions that seem under threat or as mere ideals that have little to do with everyday realities. For Germany, the coming elections will also be a signal of how far the country has alienated its people and an indication of how deep the failure to socialize a new generation of committed democrats now is. There is no upbeat note to end this article on, only the vague hope that a high voter turnout will prevent uninspiring conservatives to press ahead with their backward agendas. The elections could provide a much needed political signal from Germany to voters in other EU countries (and beyond) that although the way to get out of a political impasse may not be straight-forward, it definitely cannot be achieved by yesterday’s bunch of “help-yourself and kick-the-others” politicians.
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