From State Front to Civil Society: The Complex Legacy of Germany’s ‘Friedensrat’

BERLIN, 22 January 2026 – In Germany, the term Friedensrat (Peace Council) carries a complex and contested history. For decades, it was synonymous with the state-controlled Friedensrat der DDR, a tool of Socialist Unity Party (SED) propaganda. Today, it survives in the names of independent associations like the Deutscher Friedensrat e.V., while a broader, fragmented peace movement grapples with profound internal divisions, most notably over Germany’s response to Russia’s war on Ukraine. This duality reflects a nation continually wrestling with its past and its role in fostering peace.

A Tool of the State: The Friedensrat der DDR

Established in the early years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Friedensrat der DDR was, by its own 1975 statute, tasked with advocating for “world peace, détente, peaceful coexistence… disarmament, freedom, [and] national independence.” In reality, as historical records confirm, it was not part of an independent peace movement but a front organisation steered by the SED to align with Soviet foreign policy, primarily opposing NATO and influencing opposition groups in West Germany.

Directed by the SED’s Central Committee and, for years, under the oversight of Politbüro member Albert Norden, its activities ranged from organising World Peace Day events and signature campaigns like the 1950 Stockholm Appeal to participating in international peace conferences. Its symbol was Picasso’s dove of peace. The organisation was financed by state funds and donations, and its secretariat employed dozens of full-time SED functionaries, alongside informants for the Ministry for State Security (Stasi).

Key Facts: The Friedensrat der DDR

The Modern Landscape: A Fragmented Peace Movement

Following German reunification, the peace movement transformed. The Deutscher Friedensrat e.V., refounded in 1990, defines itself as an independent, non-partisan association dedicated to pacifism, humanism, and the “outlawing of war.” It is one of many actors in a diverse ecosystem that includes longstanding groups like the Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft – Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen (DFG-VK, founded 1892), professional NGOs such as Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst (forumZFD), and research institutes like the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF).

This modern movement, however, is deeply divided. The watershed moment was Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Traditional pacifist reflexes—opposing all arms deliveries and demanding immediate negotiations—clashed with the stance of supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defence. A 2023 “Manifesto for Peace,” initiated by publicist Alice Schwarzer and politician Sahra Wagenknecht, which criticised arms deliveries, garnered over half a million signatures but also exposed rifts, attracting criticism for its overlap with far-right and conspiracy theory narratives.

Expert Analysis and Government Policy

Germany’s leading peace research institutes, in their flagship Peace Report 2024, described a “rudderless world” with record-high deaths from conflict. On Ukraine, they advocated a dual approach: continued military support and pressure on Russia, coupled with preparations for future peace negotiations and security guarantees for Kyiv. The government’s official position, as stated by the Federal Foreign Office, is steadfast support for Ukraine, aiming for a “just and lasting peace” based on international law, while acknowledging that Russia started the war and can end it.

Civil society organisations specialising in conflict transformation have urged a more nuanced debate. In a joint declaration titled “Let’s talk about peace – but how?”, groups like forumZFD and the Berlin Center for Integrative Mediation called for empathy, centring Ukrainian voices, strengthening civil society, and seriously pursuing diplomatic channels alongside critical scrutiny of Germany’s new security policy focus on armament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the historical and modern Friedensrat?

The Friedensrat der DDR was a state-controlled instrument of SED foreign policy. The contemporary Deutscher Friedensrat e.V. and other peace organisations are independent, non-governmental entities within a pluralistic civil society, though the term itself retains its historical baggage.

Why is the German peace movement so divided over Ukraine?

The war presents a fundamental dilemma between traditional pacifist principles (rejecting all weapons) and the imperative to support a victim of aggression under international law. This has split the left-wing political spectrum and civil society, with some fearing escalation and others viewing military support as necessary for any future negotiated peace.

What role does peace research play in Germany?

Institutes like PRIF, IFSH Hamburg, and BICC produce influential annual analyses like the Peace Report, providing evidence-based policy recommendations to the government on conflict prevention, arms control, and peacebuilding, aiming to inform public and political debate.