Politics in focus: Ettersburg talks under right-wing observation!

Politics in focus: Ettersburg talks under right-wing observation!

In recent weeks, a controversy surrounding the Ettersburg talks in Weimar has caused a lot of discussion. The events that have been taking place at Ettersburg Castle since 2011 deal with topics of social relevance and attract different speakers and audiences. Berliner Zeitung reports that the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung commissioned specialist journalist Kai Budler this summer to check the ideological orientation of the talks for possible right-wing tendencies.

On October 28, 2025, Budler presented his results, which were met with mixed reactions from the audience. Many people present doubted the objectivity of his study and accused Budler of conducting a public test of opinion. This criticism was particularly loud from Jens-Christian Wagner, the director of the Buchenwald Memorial, who accused Budler of making anti-Semitic statements. Over the many years of his career, Wagner has repeatedly fought to commemorate and come to terms with the Nazi era.

The Ettersburg talks and their meaning

The Ettersburg Talks have established themselves as an important place of exchange in Germany. Dr. Peter Krause, the series' curator, is seen by many as a key figure who promoted dialogue on important social issues. In the discussion following Budler's talk, the high quality of the Ettersburg talks and Krause's valuable work were defended by many in the audience. Younger participants in particular were more open to Budler's theses, while older people present often argued in more nuanced ways.

The dynamics within the audience are particularly interesting: While some critics may have never taken part in the discussions, the foundation asked for feedback and interest from the public. It was even offered to cover admission for those interested who were having trouble with the ticket prices.

Political dimensions and media reporting

The incident not only raises questions about the content of the Ettersburger Talks, but also about the role of the media and the foundation itself. In this context, concerns were expressed that there could be a conflict of interest between the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and the Thüringer Allgemeine, a publication of the Funke media group. These questions intertwine with the current political landscape and ideological climate in Germany.

Although the context of the civil rights movement is broad, the case in Weimar inevitably raises memories of historical struggles such as those of Rosa Parks. Parks, born on February 4, 1913, became a symbol of the civil rights movement in the United States when she refused to give up her seat for a white passenger in 1955. Their refusal led to a bus boycott that shook the country. Britannica calls her the “mother of the civil rights movement.”

The current dispute over the Ettersburg talks is therefore also a reflection of the ongoing struggles for justice and equality that are being waged in many parts of the world. The debate will be followed with excitement, and it remains to be seen how the political currents and public perception will develop further.