Debate on freedom of expression: Steinmeier criticizes disturbances in lectures

Two lectures of AfD co-founder Bernd Lucke were canceled in the past weeks or could not take place. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has now sharply criticized the disturbances. "What we certainly do not need - let me be clear on a given occasion - are aggressive refusal to talk, intimidation and attacks," Steinmeier said in a speech. This applies to politicians as well as to "controversial professors in lecture theaters".

"To want to silence others, just because they irritate their own world view, is not acceptable," said Steinmeier on, without mentioning Lucke by name. "The open political dispute in the respect for the other is something we must expect each other to be, it is the heart of democracy," he said.

Karliczek: It is not possible that student groups act as opinion censors

The first lecture that Lucke wanted to give at the University of Hamburg could not take place, a second one was canceled. The university has condemned the disturbances. These were "incompatible with the constitutionally guaranteed protection of the freedom of science," it said in a statement. Sharp criticism expressed it also Hamburgs senator of science Katharina Fegebank (greens). The economist Lucke was a member of the European Parliament until the summer and has since resumed his lecturing.

Speaking to SPIEGEL, CDU Education Minister Anja Karliczek warned against "narrowing the political course". Referring to the protests against Lucke, she said, "It's not possible for student groups or activists to act as opinion censors." On Monday, a planned reading of the former Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière (CDU) at the University of Göttingen had been prevented by demonstrators.

Lindner: "By law, freedom of expression is guaranteed."

FDP leader Christian Lindner criticized with regard to the incidents in Hamburg and Göttingen, there were "opinions that were not considered acceptable, were bawled by the opponents." In an interview with the "Passauer Neue Presse" he said: "The freedom of expression is guaranteed by law, but in practice it is perceived as limited." This is a depressing finding.

Lindner also complained that a planned appearance by him at the University of Hamburg had not been approved by the university. The latter justified its decision by stating that events with a party political orientation were not planned.