Marc Schoentgen, director of Luxembourg's Centre for Political Education, shared his insights on the recent US elections and the importance of educational trips to Auschwitz during a discussion on RTL Radio on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio spoke with Marc Schoentgen, director of Luxembourg's Centre for Political Education, about educational trips to Auschwitz and the recent US elections.
Reaction to US elections
Marc Schoentgen described the outcome of the US elections as a democratic choice, though not a surprising one.
He stressed the importance of reflecting on the potential impact of Donald Trump's return on both European society and democracies. Schoentgen also highlighted the need to explore Trump's appeal among young people, the influence of his style on European politicians, and whether there is growing support for a type of strong leader who challenges institutional norms.
He pointed out that US voters were undeterred by Trump's history of lies, criminal convictions, and simplistic solutions. His campaign, Schoentgen noted, relied on the straightforward slogan, "Trump will fix it." While acknowledging the appeal of such simple messages, he emphasised that populist rhetoric–particularly the portrayal of a "political elite" to oppose–resonates with many voters. According to Schoentgen, once individuals embrace these narratives, it becomes difficult to change their perspective.
Second generation witnesses: 27th trip to Auschwitz
In addition to his role at the Centre for Political Education, Schoentgen is a volunteer president of the Auschwitz Committee and vice-president of the "Second Generation Witnesses." In late October, he travelled with 150 adolescents and adults on the 27th trip to Auschwitz. Schoentgen noted that interest in the trip remains high, with many young people unable to participate due to limited space.
He emphasised that the question of whether the atrocities of the past could happen again is more relevant than ever, especially as democracies face challenges and are questioned by populist movements.
