Right causes boycott of progress, says German writer

German writer Stefan Weidner criticized governments for blaming the left for political polarization, asserting they hold power and impose restrictions. Speaking at the Lisbon Literature Days, he argued that the political shift to the right in Western societies is evident, with the U.S. government as an example. Weidner contended that movements like Black Lives Matter face repression rather than wielding power. He distanced himself from the 'woke' movement, acknowledging its dogmatism while defending the legitimacy of leftist protests as a response to power imbalances. He emphasized the need for literature to transcend ideological divides and criticized the current cultural climate for stifling diverse voices.