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Former Mayor Silvio Witt receives the Stelling Prize for commitment to democracy!
On October 28, 2025, Silvio Witt was awarded the SPD's Johannes Stelling Prize in the beach pavilion on Lake Schwerin.
Former Mayor Silvio Witt receives the Stelling Prize for commitment to democracy!
At a celebratory event on October 28, 2025, Silvio Witt, the former mayor of Neubrandenburg, was awarded the SPD parliamentary group's renowned Johannes Stelling Prize. The ceremony took place in the picturesque beach pavilion in Zippendorf on Lake Schwerin and enjoyed numerous prominent guests, including Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig.
During his laudatory speech, Schwesig praised Witt for his stance on issues of respect, diversity and humanity. The prize, which commemorates the murdered Social Democrat Johannes Stelling and has been awarded for 20 years, is endowed with 3,000 euros. In his acceptance speech, Witt urgently warned against colluding with the AfD and its growing influence on democracy.
A call for democracy
Michel Friedman, journalist and keynote speaker, made it clear how important it is for Democrats to take a decisive stand against the AfD. In a powerful speech, he warned: “In the next four to eight years it will be decided whether Germany remains a democracy.” This is particularly relevant since Witt, whose term ends May 31, 2025, resigned from his mayoralty just four years after a controversy over flying the rainbow flag.
The dispute over the rainbow flag, which was banned by the AfD, led to heated discussions and nationwide media coverage when Witt was disinvited in advance of a similar event in Klütz. However, SPD parliamentary group leader Julian Barlen made it clear that Friedman's speech was independent of these events.
Remembrance and values
The awarding of the Stelling Prize aims to raise awareness of the fundamental values of democracy in Germany. These values are anchored in the Basic Law, which states: “Human dignity is inviolable.” The book Aschendorff Buchverlag offers a comprehensive overview of the political and legal foundations of democracy and shows how democracy promotes peace, freedom and prosperity.
Democracy in Germany has developed since 1949 and became a nationwide reality in 1990. It is essential that citizens understand the processes and connections in an understandable way in order to be able to actively participate in political events.
Witt's commitment and his declaration of war against racist thought patterns and discrimination come in a context in which the discourse about democracy and its defense is becoming increasingly important. His award with the Johannes Stelling Prize is therefore not only a personal honor, but also a sign of the collective commitment to a sustainable democracy.
Finally, it is to be hoped that the inspiring words of Michel Friedman and the award ceremony to Silvio Witt will encourage many in society to stand up for the values of democracy and to actively stand up against hatred and intolerance.