Public Joint Lecture and Discussion with Professor Dr. Jochen and Professor Dr. Christian Stecker-Müller
The state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern once again highlight the structural tensions within German democracy. The growing support for the AfD on the one hand, and the strong opposition to it on the other, underscore an increasing political divide, particularly within East German society. The speakers will present various explanations for voter behavior and discuss the consequences for the federal states’ ability to form governments. Minority governments with shifting majorities are presented as a sensible alternative to the rigid coalition models of past decades.
Jochen Müller is a professor of political sociology and methodology at the University of Greifswald. His research focuses on parliamentary behavior, political parties, political attitudes, and voting behavior. A particular focus is on how different personal experiences and social contexts shape political behavior.
Christian Stecker is a professor of political science at the Technical University of Darmstadt. His research focuses on elections, party systems, and government formation. In his book *Ohne Koalitionskorsett und Brandmauern* (Without Coalition Constraints and Firewalls), he argues that flexible majorities, rather than rigid coalitions, could revitalize democracy in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Moderator: Marcus Hoffmann, M.A.
This event has been rescheduled from September 15 to September 16, 2026.
