A recent survey reveals that 74% of Germans feel free speech is being stifled due to the fear of consequences, especially with increasing criminal charges for insulting politicians online.
This trend has grown amid several high-profile cases, such as individuals being convicted for social media insults and even pensioners getting police visits for memes.
The survey, conducted by Insa, highlights how harsh enforcement is particularly affecting younger generations and those with conservative views. Over half (53%) of people aged 18-39 feel they can’t speak openly, compared to just 24% of those over 70, indicating that the younger crowd feels the brunt of this self-censorship. Political affiliation plays a major role here too. A significant 74% of voters from the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) report holding back their opinions, with 57% of voters from the new Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) sharing similar feelings. On the other hand, left-leaning supporters are less likely to self-censor—only 27% of Greens voters and 31% of Social Democrats (SPD) say they hold back.
When asked if people avoid speaking their minds because of potential repercussions, 74% of all respondents agreed. Among AfD and BSW supporters, the numbers are even higher—91% and 90%, respectively—showing that concerns about freedom of speech are widespread in Germany.
The results point to deepening divisions in the country over free speech, with right-wing, younger, and moderate voters particularly anxious about censorship. Despite some parties feeling secure in expressing their views, the survey paints a picture of a society becoming more cautious in its discourse, especially as legal actions and public reprimands continue to shape the environment.
Recent stories illustrate this shift: in one case, a 64-year-old man was arrested after retweeting a meme calling Green Economy Minister Robert Habeck an “idiot,” leading to a police raid and his arrest. This was labeled a “politically motivated right-wing crime.” Another case in Bavaria saw a woman acquitted after being fined €6,000 for calling Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock a “hollow brat” in a post that barely reached 200 views. More recently, a German man was fined €5,000 for insulting a judge after he gave a light sentence to a Syrian rapist, a fine nearly double that given to the rapist himself.
Defense lawyer Udo Vetter spoke out against the system, pointing out that Germany currently has over 140,000 open arrest warrants for insults against politicians. “Crime is getting out of hand, and we’re wasting countless hours on such things,” he lamented.
