Full Breakdown
Together for Democracy: Civil Society’s New Alliance Against Germany’s Far-Right
9/5/2026, 1:56:14 AM
Formation of the Together for Democracy Alliance
In 2024, more than 80 German civil-society groups—including the German Trade Union Federation (DGB), Greenpeace, and the Queer Diversity Association (LSVD+)—signed a Solidarity Agreement to create the “Together for Democracy” alliance. The pact pledges legal, financial and security assistance to individuals and institutions threatened by far-right extremism, especially as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) gains electoral momentum ahead of the September 6 state election in Saxony-Anhalt.
Rising Threats from the AfD
Activists such as Felix Pankonin, project director at the Hillersche Villa in Zittau, report repeated harassment, property vandalism and physical assaults linked to AfD representatives. Keerthana Kuperan, political advisor at DaMOst, describes new security protocols that keep staff together after 6 p.m. and require advance safety planning for rural outreach. Green Party councilwoman Miriam Zeller recounts personal attacks, including social isolation of her daughter and accusations of warmongering, underscoring a broader climate of intimidation targeting those who oppose the far right.
Key Participants and Their Roles
- Felix Pankonin – Project director, Hillersche Villa; provides legal advice and security funding to the alliance.
- Keerthana Kuperan – Political advisor, DaMOst; coordinates safety measures for migrant-rights initiatives.
- Miriam Zeller – Green Party councilwoman, Stendal; candidate in the September 6 election and recipient of local network support.
- Yasmin Fahimi – Head of the DGB, representing over five million union members; advocates training in constitutional and civil-service law.
- Andre Lehmann – Representative, Queer Diversity Association (LSVD+); highlights protection for LGBTQ+ activists.
Official Statements & Responses
She emphasized DGB training programs to equip public-service employees against illegal orders. Zeller noted that, as a civil servant, she cannot be dismissed, contrasting her situation with colleagues who fear job loss should the AfD assume power.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It can't get any worse than this,” — Zeller. However
- “This fantasy of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt — to carry out a complete personnel shake-up in government agencies, ministries, courts and the police — is completely unlawful,” — Greenpeace. Yasmin Fahimi
- “Threats, abuse to German mayors hurting local government To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Hope for help for queer people following the Berlin attack "Of course, this alliance can mean more protection for queer people who are active on the ground," says Andre Lehmann, from the Queer Diversity Association (LSVD+) — a civil rights organization that has represented the interests and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* and intersex queer people (LGBTQ+) since 1990.” — Andre Lehmann
The alliance’s multi-sectoral backing aims to reinforce democratic resilience, offering a coordinated response to far-right aggression across urban and rural Germany.
