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Comment: No supervised thinking in the virus crisis, Chancellor!

2020-04-21T16:52:23.251Z


Merkel's “opening discussion orgies” have what it takes for a place of honor in the gallery of memorable chancellor words - right next to “no alternative” and “We can do it”. A comment by Merkur editor-in-chief Georg Anastasiadis.


Merkel's “opening discussion orgies” have what it takes for a place of honor in the gallery of memorable chancellor words - right next to “no alternative” and “We can do it”. A comment by Merkur editor-in-chief Georg Anastasiadis.

When mom hits the table, it gets dangerous. Many Germans know this from the asylum debate when Merkel's categorical "We can do it" should end further unwanted debates. So now the new word of power from the Chancellery: “Organs of opening discussions” would have to be avoided in the corona crisis.

Now the excitement is great, as always when the Chancellor gives up her usual role as moderator and claims leadership. The FDP even finds her sentence "outrageous". First of all: As head of government, Merkel has the right and the duty to explain to citizens which way out of the crisis she thinks is the right one. Leadership would have been wished for earlier: in January, when Asian countries were already arming themselves against the virus and the Chinese even bought away the protective equipment from unsuspecting Europeans. But it will be difficult if the Chancellor doesn't just show the way. But it was also declared that there was no alternative. The Germans need no supervised thinking in the virus crisis. Otherwise not only people and livelihoods end up in the intensive care unit. But also democracy.

It is disappointing that the Chancellor doesn't trust her citizens so much. This does not correspond to the guiding principle of the responsible citizen, which the CDU and CSU are so happy to bring before them. The vast majority of Germans have adapted their behavior to the threat and are looking for ways to gradually regain small freedoms. That is also sorely necessary, because life has to go on and the state will not be able to permanently cover all problems with money. Bans on thinking and debating are not required. It's good ideas.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-04-21

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