SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Quarter of Germans want Berlin Wall

Nearly one in four Germans "sometimes think it would be better if theBerlin Wall were still there," according to a new poll.

berlin_wall_smashed_1601_B_AP_1235923613

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AFP


Skip to article content

Nearly one in four Germans "sometimes think it would be better if the Berlin Wall were still there," according to a new poll published on Monday.

The Emnid poll of 1,001 people for mass circulation daily Bild also showed that 16 percent of people thought a rebuilding of the once-hated barrier "would be the best thing that could happen."

The survey found little difference of opinion between those that used to live on either side of the Wall, with 23 percent of east Germans and 24 percent of west Germans saying they could be in favour of another Wall.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The 155-kilometre (96-mile) barrier, erected overnight by communist authorities on August 13, 1961, split the city of Berlin in two and came to symbolise Cold War division.

In a bloodless revolution on November 9, 1989, the Wall, officially called an "anti-fascist barrier" by the communists, was yanked down and hundreds of thousands of East Germans streamed across to the West.

The 20th anniversary of this momentous day was marked recently with an emotional ceremony at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, attended by dozens of world leaders, topped off by a surprise video message by US President Barack Obama.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world