A viewer who wants to remain anonymous wants an answer from CDU boss Laschet.
It's about freedom of expression in Germany.
Lübeck - It is an unusual moment in the ARD “election arena”: A viewer would like to ask a question to Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet, but in the end she does not dare to attend the show personally.
For fear of hostility.
In the middle of the broadcasting time on Wednesday evening, moderator Andreas Cichowicz points his politics guest to a monitor.
Instead of showing the connected questioner like some others in the room, this one has no picture: “There is a very special reason for that,” emphasizes Cichowicz.
“We have a question from a woman who should have been sitting in here today.
She had already agreed, then she changed her mind again.
Because she's scared.
And fear of the public's reaction if they ask their question. ”Laschet listens, but the viewer is still not quite clear what is about to come.
The name is also not mentioned, only a sound document is played.
Viewers only ask women about sound recording - it's about freedom of expression around Corona
"My problem is that I haven't been vaccinated yet," the unknown woman starts with her concern. "I see the fundamental need for vaccinations and I am not a total opponent of vaccinations," she clarifies immediately. “At the moment I just have a lot of unanswered questions with the current state of research and I don't have a good feeling about getting vaccinated.” She's seriously worried because she's facing a lot of headwind - “and I can no longer trust myself, my opinion to express publicly ”. She would like to know from Laschet how he could contribute to "reestablishing a gray opinion like mine and ensuring that I too can feel free to express my opinion again".
Laschet runs to his desk, clearly looking thoughtful. "Something like that always affects me when someone describes he has a problem and he does not dare to say that because he is afraid of society about this expression of opinion," the CDU leader starts in his statement. There are many topics. “I always say that everyone can say anything.” The craziest things are posted on the Internet. In addition to those who no longer dared to speak, some also no longer know how to speak. In this way, the politician steers towards the area of political correctness. As an example, he cites the term “Indian chief”, which in one case would have made everyone excited about being allowed to say that. "We have to speak respectfully and be allowed to say everything," says Laschet again. With the addition of "respectful" he obviously wants to make it clear thatthat there are also limits when it comes to hate speech, for example, does not address this directly.
Laschet reacts to the audience question in the "Wahlarena" of the ARD: "Don't fall on someone just because they have a different opinion"
“I think you can also say I don't want to be vaccinated, or as gently as the viewer said: 'I'm not quite sure yet, I want to find out more,'” Laschet comes back to the questioner.
According to all that is known today, an mRNA vaccine against the coronavirus is safe, emphasizes Laschet.
"And I ask and recommend that you get vaccinated, for your own protection and for the protection of those around you."
The moderator would like to know again what signal Laschet sends to society regarding freedom of expression.
"Please speak it out!
Tell me if you see it differently, ”emphasizes Laschet emphatically.
He appeals to society when someone expresses his concerns like the woman: “Don't attack someone just because they have a different opinion.” As Federal Chancellor, he wants to have a society “where everyone can say what they think without being attacked. ”In his words, a very important concern for him.
For this he gets applause from the studio.
Laschet in the ARD “election arena”: Climate, cannabis, Corona and his position as candidate for chancellor
Another guest lured Laschet out of reserve that evening when a question about his candidacy for chancellor came up. In addition, he was confronted with climate protection, with affordable rents and the flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. At one point it got personal again, so that Laschet even said: “That hurts me.” You can read more about this in our ticker for the show.
(cibo)