"Politics needs dialogue: We must not allow ourselves to be divided"
PPE graduate Lea Banger specifically seeks dialogue with people who think differently.
Quickly building a powerful campaign in a shortened election campaign - that is one of the challenges that Lea Banger had to deal with as the FDP's volunteer social media manager in the Constance constituency. "Suddenly I got the call: 'Tomorrow is the first meeting, we have to get started right away'. We had to pull together quickly, get creative and get to work," she reports. She had only just returned from the European election campaign, for which she herself had stood as a candidate.
The alumna is also involved in the board of the FDP Konstanz and is district chairwoman of the Young Liberals or represents Dr Ann-Veruschka Jurisch, member of the Bundestag and candidate for the district of Konstanz, at appointments. In her appointment, she is a doctoral student at the University of Constance, researching how war and conflict influence inequality between groups of different identities - such as ethnicity, religion, class, gender and age. She laid the foundations for this at Witten/Herdecke University, where she studied for a Master’s degree in PPE – Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Kebab, beer and TikTok: new formats for young voters
The 27-year-old believes that the assumption that young people are disenchanted with politics is wrong: "During the European election campaign, I was mainly invited to panel discussions by schools. I met many committed pupils there."
In her opinion, creative formats are needed to reach this target group - such as her party colleague Anna Neumann's campaign with the slogan "More kebabs from Netto". She herself also favoured unconventional approaches in the European election campaign: A student breakfast with non-alcoholic beer, for example, was totally well received.
Social media plays a decisive role for her. Particularly in view of the AfD, she believes that the other parties still have a lot of catching up to do here. The FDP in the district of Constance now uses TikTok specifically as an election campaign tool. "I try to offer a good mix of informative and entertaining content. My strategy: first generate reach with funny videos, then spread targeted political messages," explains Lea.
Fact checks against fake news
The spread of populist misinformation is a major concern for the social media manager. On TikTok and Instagram, she uses Stitches to carry out targeted fact checks to refute misleading statements.
At the same time, she is calling for stricter rules from politicians: "Traditional newspapers, TV and radio stations are obliged to work carefully and check facts. It is unacceptable that other broadcasters are allowed to actively spread false information on social media." In addition, the critical use of social media must be taught at school.
She also relies on arguments in direct conversations - at campaign stands or in private: "According to surveys, one in five people want to vote for the AfD. These people are in our immediate surroundings, at parties, in clubs and at events. In conversations with these people, you shouldn't nod your head to avoid confrontation, but rather counter it and point out why simple solutions to very complex issues don't work. Many election promises made by the extremes are completely unrealistic."
She herself has repeatedly succeeded in making people think by adopting an open attitude and asking specific questions: "That gives me hope that the discussions will bring something after all. Every single person we can win over is worth it."
Why exchange and dialogue are now more important than ever
Her appeal to all citizens: go and vote. "Every vote counts and lost votes strengthen the extremes." It is even more important to get actively involved - be it in a political party or in voluntary work.
At the same time, she does not want to be drawn into the increasing polarisation: "In the last few weeks in particular, I have felt how heated the mood has become, even in the political centre. I find that really sad."
Instead, she focuses on exchange and dialogue: "We must not allow ourselves to be divided. Politics must also be fun - and the best way to do that is to come together again and again and look for solutions together."