The Center for Political Beauty, a German activist art collective, has installed a life-size statue of Walter Lübcke in front of the Konrad Adenauer House, the headquarters of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Berlin. The installation serves as a stark reminder to the party to maintain its firewall against far-right extremism.
Walter Lübcke was a prominent CDU politician who served as the district president of Kassel until his assassination in June 2019. He was shot and killed at his home by a far-right extremist, making him the first German politician to be murdered by a right-wing terrorist since the Nazi era. Lübcke had become a target of hate after publicly defending Germany's refugee policy in 2015, stating that those who disagreed with the country's values were "free to leave."
The Center for Political Beauty (Zentrum für Politische Schönheit) is known for its provocative political art actions that challenge German society to confront uncomfortable truths about its history and current political climate. The collective has previously staged controversial installations related to Holocaust remembrance and contemporary political issues. Their latest action aims to remind the CDU of its responsibility to maintain clear boundaries against extremist ideologies.
The timing of this installation is particularly significant as Germany faces increasing political polarization and the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The statue serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences when democratic parties fail to maintain strong defenses against extremist movements. The installation deliberately targets the CDU, challenging the party to honor Lübcke's memory by refusing any cooperation or accommodation with far-right forces.
The Konrad Adenauer House, named after Germany's first post-war chancellor, represents the institutional heart of the CDU. By placing Lübcke's statue at this location, the artists create a direct confrontation between the party's democratic legacy and the violent consequences of extremist rhetoric. The installation forces visitors and party members to literally face the memory of their murdered colleague as they enter the building.
This artistic intervention reflects broader concerns about the erosion of democratic norms in Germany and across Europe. Political observers have noted increasing acceptance of extremist rhetoric in mainstream political discourse, making the artists' message about maintaining firewalls against radicalism particularly urgent. The statue stands as both a memorial to Lübcke and a warning about the potential consequences of political complacency in the face of rising extremism.
