Story perspectives

AfD Poised to Control Universities, Threatens Academic Freedom

7/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

The AfD’s April manifesto proposes abolishing gender studies, creating a state institute for critical Islamic studies, and reinstating Diplom and Magister degrees.
The party is projected to win September elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, giving it control over university policy.
HRK president Walter Rosenthal, Leopoldina president Bettina Rockenbach, and experts warned the programme threatens academic freedom and could cause funding cuts, delayed appointments, and blocked committee decisions despite constitutional safeguards.

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Story summary

The AfD’s April manifesto proposes abolishing gender studies, creating a state institute for critical Islamic studies, and reinstating Diplom and Magister degrees.
The party is projected to win September elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, giving it control over university policy.
HRK president Walter Rosenthal, Leopoldina president Bettina Rockenbach, and experts warned the programme threatens academic freedom and could cause funding cuts, delayed appointments, and blocked committee decisions despite constitutional safeguards.