Fusion festival 2028 in light of the recent political advancements

[jochem]

Hi all,

This 2026 edition was the very first time I went to Fusion, and I truly hope I can come back to this magical place. Seeing the recent developments with the recent elections in Saksen-Anhalt and then checking the voting polls for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern makes me slightly scared, as these kind of developments will give these kind of parties more momentum to really "break through". There could also be a board installed in Mecklenurg-Vorpommern who will attempt to impose specific ideas or rules on top of the festival which clearly do not align with our values.

I sincerely hope that in 2028 there will not be a "Fusion light" festival or a version where we cannot be free. How "factual" are my fears? I feel somewhat scared (which I should not do!) that even if the festival is legally well protected, that certain parties will do everything within their "power" to ruin the festival or to attempt to escalate their rights. I am also wondering how well legally protected Fusion is. If you have something to say which you do not want to put on a public forum, then please DM me, thanks!

[_josch_]

Hi Jochem,

this topic has been on people's minds for quite some time already. It is no surprise that a political festival like Fusion could be put under enormous pressure - should the election turn out a certain way. German politics are on a very slippery path right now and what happend in Sachsen-Anhalt yesterday is a complete clusterf*ck.

As of today there is still hope for the election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. What we can do now is to talk to people who live in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and tell them to vote. Explain why it is important. I know it is no easy task (especially if you don't live there and/or don't know anybody who lives there), but it might change some people's minds. Though I am slowly losing hope with people who have already "wandered off into the post-truth".

However this can only be the first step as we need to change the political discourse in the country as a whole. A gigantic task lies ahead...

[since2005]

bitte einfach nicht auf jochem antworten. keine interna. Wer ordert interne infos per pm?

[Johannes Ostkreuz]

It is not a secret that we gonna stick together, care for each other and protect the weakest among us.

Love is stronger. Everybody knows it. (:

[hnuernbe]

Compared to Sachsen-Anhalt, the outlook in MV appears more encouraging: although the AfD is polling strongly, it remains politically isolated (especially if the BSW will hopefully fail at the electoral threshold), while the other parties still hold a parliamentary majority.

Current trends also show the SPD narrowing the gap, supported by the popularity of Manuela Schwesig and the absence of a clear desire for political change, which keeps the prospect of a progressive alliance of the SPD, the Left Party, and potentially the Greens alive.

Based on that, I do not currently see the Fusion Festival as being under serious political threat in the the next five years; in fact, the outlook may even be more positive, as a CDU-led Ministry of Interior was often a greater risk to the festival than the current political constellation.

BUT: The important work starts after the election (already regarding the elections in 2031): More than ever, it will be important to bring people and progressive forces together and to prevent any further drift to the right. Having grown up in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, I know how important it is to challenge right-wing narratives consistently, not only through criticism but by creating appealing alternatives, cultural spaces, positive visions.

That’s why I consider a year without a FUSION as a big mistake in those times. Events such as the Fusion Festival can play an important role: they create opportunities for encounter, foster openness and solidarity, and help sustain the diverse social and cultural networks that already exist throughout the region. But all of this is fragile if there is no consistent flow.

Stay supportive <3

[Johannes Ostkreuz]

Yes <3