Status: 10.08.2023, 21:16 p.m.
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On the 75th anniversary of the Constitutional Convention, the importance of German democracy was recalled - and warned against certain parties.
Herrenchiemsee - At the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Constitutional Convention in the New Herrenchiemsee Palace, politicians such as Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Prime Minister Markus Söder indirectly warned against the AfD. The party was not named - but the message was clear.
On Thursday, Steinmeier first recalled the birth of the Basic Law with very clear attacks on the AfD and all enemies of democracy. "We all have it in our hands to put those who despise our democracy in their place," said the Federal President. "And all of us - every politician, but also every citizen - we have a shared responsibility for our democracy. We have to protect them."
Steinmeier warns against electing an anti-constitutional party
"Let us remember that our democracy was born in the shadow of dictatorship, war and genocide. And let us recognise what is at stake for our democracy today," Steinmeier stressed. Without mentioning the AfD, which is currently strong in the polls, he added that no voter could "talk his way out of extenuating circumstances if he strengthens political forces that contribute to the brutalization of our society and the erosion of liberal democracy." Enemies of the constitution wanted to destroy their political opponents. Their goal is domination without contradiction. "And this is not the democracy of the Basic Law."
Representatives of the state and the government at the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitutional Convention. © Peter Kneffel/dpa
The so-called Constitutional Convention took place in August 1948 in the Old Palace on Herrenchiemsee. It was convened by the prime ministers of the countries of the western occupation zones. Together with experts, the Convention drafted a constitution in just two weeks, which ultimately became decisive for the drafting of the German Basic Law.
Steinmeier stresses the importance of the Convention for German democracy
On the occasion of the celebrations, Steinmeier also opened a newly designed exhibition on the Convention in the Old Palace. "The Herrenchiemsee Constitutional Convention is probably one of the most unknown of the important moments in the history of German democracy. He is one of the most significant," he said.
In the fight against extremism, there is a historical lesson that runs like a red thread through the draft constitution of Herrenchiemsee. It still applies today: "A democracy must be able to defend itself against its enemies. Never again should democratic civil liberties be abused to abolish freedom and democracy." This also includes the will to contradict "trumpeting lies of enemies of freedom". "We must not ignore the danger they pose."
A "clear, decisive, even combative contradiction on the part of the democratic parties" is called for "when agitators in public meetings, city council or municipal council meetings denigrate our democracy as a 'system', 'unjust regime' or 'dictatorship' and discredit and despise democratic institutions," Steinmeier said.
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Shadow of the AfD over celebrations on Herrenchiemsee: Aigner and Söder also warn
The two hosts of the ceremony, Bavaria's President of the State Parliament Ilse Aigner and Prime Minister Markus Söder (both CSU) emphasized the values of democracy in their speeches and called for the protection of the constitution and freedom and in turn attacked the AfD. The AfD serves conspiracy theories and violates the human dignity of entire groups of people "with hatred and agitation," said Aigner. She did not mention the AfD by name, but spoke only of "representatives of a party". Germany has already had to experience how a democracy has failed.
With the appeal "No freedom for the enemies of freedom", Söder called for a union of all democrats to fight together against enemies of democracy. The aim is to protect the constitution and defend freedom, the Prime Minister continued. "And if things get tough, we're ready to go down that road." (nz/dpa)