#rp26 speaker Arne Semsrott: About the countermovement

‘Democracy, climate, peace – things aren't looking great, are they?’ says Arne Semsrott. Because in view of the authoritarian shift, a feeling of powerlessness is spreading. However, that is by no means a reason to give up!

At re:publica 26, the political scientist and journalist shows us ways to get back on the offensive. For him, mobilising civil society is key. 

Arne will talk about how we can successfully organise ourselves in trade unions, how effective direct democracy campaigns are structured, why the democracy protests in 2024 were such a great success, and why transparency remains essential even in times of authoritarian change. Last but not least, he will even discuss what we can learn from Jens Spahn. The potential for a progressive shift is there: ‘Away with powerlessness, we are forming a counterforce!’

Arne Semsrott has been head of the research and transparency platform FragDenStaat since 2014. With Freiheitsfonds (Freedom Fund), he helps get people out of prison. His bestseller ‘Machtübernahme’ (Seizure of Power) was published in 2024. He also spoke about this at re:publica 24.