On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Thilo Sarrazin's contentious bestseller, "Germany is Abolishing Itself," the author revisited his provocative assertions, presenting them to the press on his 80th birthday. Sarrazin's latest book, subtitled "The Balance After 15 Years," has reignited discussions on immigration, national identity, and social cohesion.
Thilo Sarrazin, a former SPD politician and controversial public figure, gathered media attention with the launch of the updated version of his work, which originally rocked the German political scene when it was published. During the presentation, held shortly before Germany's federal elections, Sarrazin maintained his stance on immigration issues, insisting, “Most of my ominous forecasts have materialized or exceeded expectations.”
Among his alarming predictions was the assertion from 15 years ago forecasting Germany’s demographic transformation, which he now claims is occurring even faster than anticipated. He suggested, “I once projected by 2100, about 80% of the German population would have non-German roots; now it seems this will happen 50 to 60 years sooner.” Sarrazin cited significant increases in immigration since the policy changes under former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration.
Despite his history of being accused of racism and nationalism due to his theories, Sarrazin argues these debates are indicative of broader societal concerns. He suggests his book has facilitated discussions about immigration trends and their ramifications, stating, “It is unfortunate we need figures like the AfD to force discussions on what many of us know to be true.”
Reflecting on past and present, Sarrazin criticized current political parties for failing to adapt their immigration policies. He expressed disappointment with the reaction post the terror attack at the Berlin Christmas market, stating, “After such shocking incidents, one would expect to see changed policies, yet all we got was verbal posturing from many politicians.”
Having been expelled from the SPD and facing several party proceedings due to his opinions, Sarrazin asserted, “I am not the creator of the AfD; rather, the issues highlighted have now become mainstream topics within parliament.” He emphasized the importance of political responsiveness, warning of dire consequences for any party, including the CDU under Friedrich Merz, if they do not address the mounting public concerns surrounding immigration.
Sarrazin's book updates include enhanced commentary, with reflections on his prior predictions about migrant influences on economics and education. He has claimed his former assessments about the educational downturn of migrant children have borne fruit, conceding he had underestimated the volume of migration during the previous decade.
“I distinctly misstated the numbers 15 years ago,” he remarked. “I anticipated 50,000 migrants annually, yet current statistics indicate net immigration has ballooned to 500,000 annually, which is remarkably different.” Yet, he insists he is not relying on arrogance, but rather regret, when claiming, “Unfortunately, I have been correct on multiple fronts.”
Critically, Sarrazin worries about the growing societal divide stemming from immigration—a concern echoed by recent polls indicating 65% of Germans are worried about high immigration rates. He states, “There is genuine fear arising among German citizens, and it would be foolish for the political elites to ignore this sentiment any longer.”
He noted the election climate as ripe for addressing migration issues, reminding the audience, “The more the public feels ignored on these pressing matters, the more they will seek alternatives outside the traditional parties—this is visible with the growing support for the AfD.”
While many Germans see their concerns as exploited by populists, Sarrazin continues to maintain his controversial stance on migrant policies. He suggested, “We might even need to abandon the Geneva Refugee Convention if it obstructs national interests.” These statements draw reactions from both supporters and critics, as there’s debate on whether Sarrazin acts as provocateur or as a necessary voice for change.
At the press conference, as journalists posed questions, Sarrazin emphasized the controversial utility of his work within political discourse: “My aim was to trigger dialogue on difficult issues long considered taboo.” He holds fast to his position, having weathered significant backlash since his book's original release.
Despite his polarizing viewpoints, Sarrazin's book remains commercially viable, apparently selling well each time migration issues surface or the public expresses concern over national identity. His latest edition again climbed the bestseller lists just as Germany gears up for another electoral battle focused largely on migration policies, hinting at the book's persistent relevance.
Thilo Sarrazin has undoubtedly shaped the narrative surrounding migration and identity discussions within German politics, and as he celebrates both his birthday and his book's anniversary, it remains to be seen how these themes evolve with the changing political climate.