Podcast: TUD Lectures+ "Is Politics an Emotional Matter? – How Psychology Shapes Our Political Decisions" Now Online

"Following the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Berlin, the results are in. The question that always comes up there is: 'What role did emotions actually play? What were people feeling when they cast their votes there? Were they frustrated? Were they disappointed in some way? Did they want to send a message? Or did they perhaps want to really make a difference and have an impact with their vote?" This is the topic of the TUD Lectures+ on October 7, 2026, featuring Prof. Dr. EvaWalther (Chair of Social Psychology, University of Trier), PD Steffen Kailitz (Hannah Arendt Institute for the Study of Totalitarianism), and Robert Ritter (Research Group “Democracy Under Pressure”).

Emotions play a role in politics—which is hardly surprising. They influence how we perceive the situation, whom we find likable, and which political positions we approve of and feel align with us. Far-right parties in particular—though not exclusively—appeal to feelings and emotions. Anger, fear, exclusion, a sense of belonging, and the psychology behind them play a very, very significant role in how we perceive issues, how we interpret political messages, and ultimately, how we act. The event was moderated by Friedemann Brause from the Saxon State Agency for Political Education. The podcast is now available for listening on this page .