Politicians in Germany Share Failures in 'Fuck-up Nights' to Foster Transparency

In Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, politicians are engaging in an unusual public discourse by sharing their personal and professional failures at events dubbed "Fuck-up Nights for Democracy." These gatherings, organized by a creative agency in cooperation with political foundations, aim to cultivate a political culture that embraces mistakes, fresh starts, and public learning from setbacks.

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All party executive boards turned away from me – my herd had left me, and I was the black sheep.

Jörg Schnurre of the FDP described feeling abandoned by his party, likening the experience to being a "black sheep." Marco Tullner from the CDU emphasized that experienced politicians require self-confidence and that attributing failure in politics, which involves complex, long-term processes, to a single individual is difficult. He noted that democracy's inherent complexity, where no single person is solely responsible, is part of its appeal.

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I am not particularly anxious, and I don't walk around like a scanner looking for the next mistake I shouldn't make. Self-confidence is also part of being an experienced politician.

Tullner suggested that greater transparency from politicians regarding their failures could bridge the divide between the public and elected officials. He believes that acknowledging uncertainty and the trial-and-error nature of political decision-making could foster mutual understanding. Currently, political processes are often opaque, with outcomes presented as perfected products, even though voters may perceive the underlying uncertainties. Communicating this complexity more openly, Tullner argues, could make democracy appear more accessible and legitimate, highlighting its often arduous and lengthy nature.

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Politics is also drilling thick boards, as Max Weber said, these are processes without a clear beginning and a clear end. If a project fails, it is difficult to narrow it down to one person. That is the appeal of democracy, that no one is solely responsible.