Paul Ziemiak of the Young Conservatives says he would like the SPD and the Conservatives to succeed in developing a common vision for the future. However, he says in an interview with DW, politicians "must put their country before their party."

"It is dangerous for a democracy when all parties drift toward the center," says Moritz Heuberger of the Green Youth. He wants the Greens to "have the confidence to go against the grain... Parties must highlight differences, parties must make clear what they stand for." Only thus, Heuberger says to DW, can they distinguish themselves from the "right-wing fringe."

"We’ve had to swallow a lot of bitter pills, working with the conservatives, and especially with the Bavarian CSU. We’ve been left feeling very frustrated," says Johanna Uekermann of the Young Social Democrats.

“If needs be, self-determination ought to be fought for even in the face of state opposition,” says the leader of Germany’s Young Liberals, Konstantin Kuhle. He talks to DW about liberty, the state and the prospect of a 'Jamaica coalition'.

"If you look at Earth from the moon, it's always beautiful," says climate researcher Mojib Latif in the DW interview. The question is less what will become of Earth and more what will become of humanity — because the conditions for life itself are getting worse."

"Treaties are only as strong as the people who defend them", says Martin Hinrichs of the anti-nuclear-weapon campaign ICAN. The German branch hopes the exposure ICAN has got from winning the Nobel Peace Prize will help put pressure on the government.

"Being an elected delegate doesn’t give a politician the right to do whatever they want", says Wolfgang Thierse. The former Bundestag president speaks to DW about the success of the far right in Germany’s elections and how to tackle populism.

"Wherever democracy is under threat and freedom is restricted, that's where we have to go, those of us who believe in democracy," says Peter Limbourg, director-general of Deutsche Welle, in an interview about the media, democracy and DW's mandate.

"We can be happy that we do not use computers in our polling stations", says Markus Beckedahl. "It is not so easy to interfere with paper." In an interview with DW, Beckedahl says the importance of the internet and social media means there is a new threat to the electoral process.

Greece itself is to blame for the crisis it faces, says Petros Markaris. Too many people, says the Greek author, have looked the other way: "The Germans, too." For more on the Greeks, the Germans and Europe, watch in the Interview on DW.