The head of a major education union in Berlin has called on 30,000 education workers to resist directives from potential far-right officials following upcoming elections, citing concerns over discrimination and threats to democratic values.

The leader of Berlin’s Education and Science Union (GEW), Gökhan Akgün, has issued a rallying call to educators and other education sector employees, urging them to oppose any discriminatory policies or directives that may arise if far-right officials from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party assume local government roles after the upcoming elections. Akgün emphasized the importance of standing against policies that promote exclusion, intimidation, or undermine democratic education efforts.

Akgün highlighted the potential risks posed by AfD-affiliated officials, particularly in areas such as kindergartens, youth centers, and programs promoting sexual diversity. He encouraged union members to remain vigilant, organize collectively, and take action through legal and institutional channels, such as involving staff councils, organizing assemblies, and utilizing union legal protections. He also stressed the importance of adhering to educational laws that prioritize fostering critical thinking and opposition to extremist ideologies.

While Akgün acknowledged that the AfD’s participation in Berlin’s Senate is unlikely, he warned that the party could still gain influence through district council positions, which could allow them to impact local educational policies. He also expressed concern over the rise of extremist ideologies among students, linking it to cuts in youth programs and democracy education initiatives. Akgün called for renewed efforts to engage young people and address the root causes of these troubling trends.