The ongoing mass protests against right-wing extremism in Germany offer potential for fundamental political change, according to political psychologist Thomas Kliche. The protests are very different from previous political movements, the professor of education management at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences told the German Press Agency. "This new movement is broad, colourful, diverse, spontaneous - and democracy is its core concern."
The current protests could also be a response to the existing polarization in society and help to strengthen the political center and allow new parties to emerge.
The political psychologist believes that the short-term effects are likely to be higher participation in elections and more support for democratic parties. "In the long term, however, there will be a growing realization that these parties have been burying their heads in the sand for 20 years, just like the majority of the population." If a social movement emerges from the protests, there could also be new parties.
