Former German Federal President Joachim Gauck said that citizens must not allow the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to capitalize on public fear [1].
The warning comes as Germany faces a volatile political climate where the rise of right-wing populism threatens established democratic values. Gauck's appeal targets the psychological mechanism of fear, which often drives voters toward radical political alternatives during times of instability.
Speaking on the Markus Lanz talk show broadcast by ZDF on July 9, 2026, Gauck addressed the current state of the nation's democracy [1]. He said he expressed deep concern regarding the political trajectory of the country and the influence of the AfD [2].
During the interview, Gauck said that the stability of the state depends on the resilience of its people. He said that the party thrives when citizens surrender their anxieties to political opportunists [2].
"Wir dürfen diesen Leuten doch nicht unsere Ängste schenken. Mein Gott!" Gauck said [2]. The phrase translates to a plea that Germans should not gift their fears to those seeking to undermine the democratic order.
Despite his warnings, the former president remained optimistic. He said that he believes German citizens possess the necessary resolve to preserve and protect their democracy from internal threats [1].
The discussion took place at the ZDF studio in Mainz, where Gauck and Lanz explored the intersection of public sentiment and political stability [1]. Gauck's appearance serves as a call for civic vigilance against the rhetoric of the far right.
“"Wir dürfen diesen Leuten doch nicht unsere Ängste schenken. Mein Gott!"”
Gauck's intervention highlights a strategic shift in addressing the AfD, moving from purely policy-based critiques to a psychological appeal. By framing the party's growth as a product of 'gifted' fear, he encourages a mindset of civic emotional intelligence. This suggests that the defense of German democracy currently relies as much on the psychological resilience of the electorate as it does on legislative safeguards.
