As of: January 29, 2024, 12:28 p.m
By: Yannick Hanke
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Boris Pistorius (SPD) raises the alarm as part of a rally against the right.
The defense minister strongly warns against AfD tactics - and yet remains confident.
Osnabrück – The past and with it a revival of National Socialist ideologies must not be allowed to repeat itself.
Many people in Germany are aware of this and have recently shown their colors.
At meetings in smaller and larger cities in the Federal Republic, there were loud demonstrations against right-wing extremism, the AfD and inhumane ideas.
This was also the case on Saturday (January 27th) in Osnabrück.
A rally was organized in the palace gardens in the city center under the motto “Osnabrück shows its colors – for democracy, against fascism”.
A broad alliance of more than 40 groups ultimately had around 25,000 participants.
A number that was confirmed by the organizers and the police.
Among them: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), who warned in his hometown of the AfD's desired system change - as did Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier before him.
“History must not repeat itself”: Boris Pistorius (SPD) speaks at a demonstration against the right in Osnabrück
Democracy in Germany is under pressure, said Pistorius, who also commented on the chancellor question.
For him it is clear that the AfD is striving for a system change.
“That means nothing other than that they want to go back to the dark times of racial madness, discrimination, inequality and injustice,” said the Osnabrück native and former mayor (OB) of the City of Peace.
“We are more”: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) warned against the AfD’s tactics at an anti-right demonstration in Osnabrück – and at the same time spread confidence.
© Friso Gentsch/dpa
The 63-year-old also made a comparison with the Weimar Republic.
This did not perish because of its enemies, but because of the weakness of its friends.
Accompanied by great applause, Pistorius' motto was clear: “Today we know better, history must not repeat itself.”
“It must be clear to them that they are voting for fascists”: Pistorius punishes voters who vote for AfD in protest
After a meeting between right-wing extremist circles and AfD officials and their plans became known, demonstrations against right-wing extremism were and continue to be demonstrated.
A clear sign for Pistorius that society would stand together “against the hatred of the fascists and the AfD”.
“We stand for the freedom and human dignity of every individual, because human dignity is inviolable,” the Social Democrat referred to the first article in the Basic Law (GG).
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) spoke at a rally against right-wing extremism in his hometown of Osnabrück - and made himself approachable.
© Friso Gentsch/dpa
The politician also clearly positioned himself towards those people who would only choose the AfD when going to the ballot box in order to articulate their protest - and thus express criticism of the current government.
“They have to be clear that they are voting for fascists,” said Pistorius.
In their thinking, the AfD assumes that it represents the majority.
But: “We are more,” Pistorius emphasized explicitly.
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“Day of Remembrance of the Victims of National Socialism”: Various commemorative events in the north
There were similar events on Saturday in Lower Saxony, including in Hildesheim, Goslar, Leer, Papenburg, Cloppenburg and Lüneburg.
In many places, the demonstrations were part of the actions on the “Day of Remembrance of the Victims of National Socialism”.
This commemorates the liberation of the National Socialist concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz 79 years ago.
But further demonstrations and protests have also been announced outside of Remembrance Day.
A week earlier, a signal was also set in Bremen - and demonstrations were made against the shift to the right in society.
(han/dpa)