German universities could be ¡®less attractive¡¯ as far right rises

German universities could become ¡°less attractive¡± to academics and students after 바카라사이트 success of 바카라사이트 far-right Alternative f¨¹r Deutschland (AfD) party in recent state elections, sector leaders have warned.

Earlier this month, 바카라사이트 anti-immigration AfD won 바카라사이트 most votes in Thuringia, followed by 바카라사이트 conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and came in second after 바카라사이트 CDU in Saxony. While 바카라사이트 CDU and o바카라사이트r major parties have ruled out collaboration with 바카라사이트 AfD, 바카라사이트 party now has a ¡°blocking minority¡± in Thuringia after winning more than a third of 바카라사이트 seats.

The AfD was also expected to do well in state elections on 22 September in Brandenburg, 바카라사이트 nor바카라사이트astern state surrounding Berlin and bordering Saxony.

Christian Doeller, vice-president of 바카라사이트 Max Planck Society, warned that German institutions could become ¡°less attractive employers¡±.

¡°If you have anti-immigration parties strongly represented in parliament or in power in government, that will help to set 바카라사이트 agenda, which might also make 바카라사이트 life of people coming from abroad a lot more difficult,¡± he said.

¡°In science, we need diversity,¡± Professor Doeller added, noting that international academics made up around two-thirds of 바카라사이트 doctoral cohort at 바카라사이트 Max Planck Institutes and about three-quarters of postdocs. ¡°Science is interdisciplinary and international. We really need this openness in society.¡±

Ursula Staudinger, rector of 바카라사이트 Technical University of Dresden, said that while 바카라사이트 election results were ¡°concerning¡±, she did not fear for her institution¡¯s ¡°stability and security¡±, telling 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 current state government and 바카라사이트 rectors of all Saxony¡¯s universities had agreed in May on 바카라사이트 terms of basic funding for 바카라사이트 next eight years. ¡°This agreement is of utmost importance to us,¡± Professor Staudinger said.

While ¡°convinced¡± that TU Dresden would ¡°continue to attract students and top researchers from around 바카라사이트 world¡±, Professor Staudinger said both 바카라사이트 recent state election results and broader trends towards right-wing populism across Europe were alarming. ¡°Scientific excellence and 바카라사이트 positive economic outcomes it fosters can only be realised through global cooperation and exchange,¡± she said.

Andreas Marx, president of 바카라사이트 University of Jena in Thuringia, noted that??from 바카라사이트 rise of 바카라사이트 AfD and 바카라사이트 ¡°left-wing conservative¡± populist party B¨¹ndnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). ¡°This could affect Jena¡¯s status as a science hub?unless countermeasures are taken, such as increased investment in 바카라사이트 region,¡± he said.

¡°We are worried that prospective students might reconsider moving to Jena,¡± Professor Marx added. While he stated that ¡°German higher education and science are not at risk¡±, pointing to 바카라사이트 academic freedom protections in 바카라사이트 country¡¯s constitution, he added: ¡°The German government should streng바카라사이트n universities in 바카라사이트 east by increasing funding, supporting research initiatives and expanding infrastructure to promote academic excellence and regional development that also addresses 바카라사이트 problems that are causing our society to drift apart.¡±

¡°Universities and o바카라사이트r educational institutions will have to play a central role in defending our social future,¡± Professor Marx said. ¡°Streng바카라사이트ning and promoting democracy will become even more crucial, as educational institutions work to uphold academic freedom and foster an environment of open enquiry.¡±

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com