There was the objection that young people might lack political education and maturity. However, if this were a yardstick, we would need a "voting license" for people of all ages. Unlike other responsible activities, voting is not tied to a certain level of knowledge. More education is needed here. A lack of political and social commitment in these areas, as well as a certain amount of emphasis, can have fatal consequences in the medium and long term.

One example: in 2018, the Federal Government's Research Services examined "The anchoring of the topic of National Socialism in school lessons". It states, among other things: "Compared to the 2006 study, National Socialism is given less historical significance..." and "Racist anti-Semitism as the core of National Socialist ideology plays [...] no central role in a good half of the curricula." Any questions?

Without background knowledge, judgment suffers completely regardless of age. This makes it very easy for polemicists, demagogues and half-truthists. Of course, serious politicians have to win people over and "sell" their policies. To do this, they have to explain them, make them comprehensible and get people interested in them. This is often lacking.

Economic experts and associations are also critical of the outcome of the European elections. Ifo President Clemens Fuest says: "Europe [can] only be successful if there is a willingness to occasionally put national interests aside and cooperate". DIW President Marcel Fratzscher is convinced that the new conditions will weaken Europe as a business location and that this could hit Germany particularly hard. Thilo Brodtmann, Managing Director of the VDMA, says: "The increase in votes for far-right parties in Europe is worrying. The strengthening of political groups that endanger rather than promote freedom, prosperity and peace in Europe is an alarming sign. This development is not in the interests of the economy, citizens or politics."

Finally, some good news, this time on our own behalf: we have changed our name. WEKA Business Medien has become Pelemedia GmbH - with Peter Eberhard as owner and managing director. Nothing else has changed for you or us. You can find more information on our company website: http://www.pelemedia.de.