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25 years after Solingen: Has Germany changed?

May 31, 2018

In 1993, right-wing arsonists set fire to the home of the Genc family in the western German town of Solingen. Two women and three girls died in the blaze. Recently, commemorations were held for the victims, who were of Turkish ethnicity. Has Germany changed since then and if so, how? Guests: Deger Akal (Journalist), Yasemin Ergin (Zenith Magazine), Alan Posener (Die Welt)

https://p.dw.com/p/2yiQv
Quadriga | Alan Posener
Image: DW

Alan Posener, a regular commentator for the Berlin-based daily Die Welt, who says: “Yes, Germany has changed. And changed for the worse. Racism and Islamophobia have a voice in parliament. Turks respond with anger and alienation. Erdogan pours oil onto the flames. The voices of reason need to speak more loudly!”

 

 

Quadriga | Yasemin Ergin
Image: DW

Yasemin Ergin – a freelance journalist born here in Germany, but with Turkish roots. Ergin argues that: “In times of growing social and political divisions it was an important political signal that chancellor Merkel and other politicians commemorated the attack together with Turkey's foreign minister.“

 

 

Quadriga | Deger Akal
Image: DW

Deger Akal, an DW-Expert on Turkish-German relations, formerly based in Ankara, now with DW here in Berlin. And Deger believes that: “25 years after the Solingen tragedy we are witnessing growing support for far-right in Germany. Xenophobic, racist, Islamophobic rhetoric is becoming mainstream, threatens peaceful coexistence and democratic values . As Chancellor Merkel said in Solingen, they are playing with fire!”