As of: February 7, 2024, 6:00 p.m
By: Kai Lorenz
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MdL Susann Enders from the Free Voters at the farmers' protests in the Hochlandhalle in Weilheim.
© Sabine Fleischer
The people of Weilheim sent a clear signal for democracy on Saturday last week at the demonstration, which had the motto “'Never again' is now - vote for democracy!”
(we reported online): Around 5,000 participants moved in a peaceful procession, accompanied by the Weilheim town band and the ringing of bells from the Apostle Church from the bus station to Marienplatz and Kirchplatz.
While all democratic parties took part in the demonstration, the Free Voters were missing.
We followed up with Susann Enders, a member of the Weilheim FW state parliament.
Weilheim -
Can you explain the specific reasons that led to the Free Voters not taking part in the cross-party demonstration?
Enders:
The local chairwoman of the Free Voters Weilheim did not receive an invitation to the demo.
Due to my extreme workload, I have not yet been able to find out whether I, as district chairwoman or member of the state parliament, have received an invitation in my several hundred emails per day.
One of the organizers, Ms. Gronau, stood right next to me in the Weilheim city council on Thursday, two days before the demo, and didn't say a single word about this important campaign or the lack of free voter feedback.
At this point I could have organized something at short notice.
And at the time of the demonstration I was not at the carnival in Franconia, but in a work meeting the following day on the way back from Franconia.
Just because you can't take part in a demonstration because of a lack of information or scheduling reasons doesn't mean you're against it!
MdL Free Voters Susann Enders
Are there any particular principles or considerations within your party that influenced this decision?
Enders:
No!
As already said, there is no decision against the participation of the Free Voters in the demonstration against the right in Weilheim.
We Free Voters support events against extremism across Bavaria, regardless of whether they are from the right or the left.
I personally have already taken part.
How do the Free Voters position themselves in relation to the fight against right-wing extremism and what alternative measures or initiatives does your party support to fight against right-wing extremist tendencies and for democracy and tolerance?
Enders:
We Free Voters are clearly in the political center.
We detest racist or other extremist positions and their increasing influence in Germany.
The traffic light's sometimes lifeless politics are causing more and more division, frustration and protest elections.
In order to counteract this development, we talk to citizens every day, listen, take on board their fears and concerns as well as their criticism and stand up for them.
We design our political initiatives democratically according to the will of the people and not theoretically from our desks according to any political ideology.
After all, we politicians are people 'like you and me' and nothing special.
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A current example is our motion in the state parliament on January 23rd against targeted attacks on democracy.
We Free Voters, CSU, SPD and Greens submitted this proposal together.
Such a strong message is only possible if you talk to each other.
How does your party deal with the public perception and possible criticism that arose from not taking part in the demonstration in Weilheim? Is there a strategy for effectively communicating your positions and measures against right-wing extremism and clarifying misunderstandings among the public?
Enders:
Just because you can't take part in a demonstration because of a lack of information or scheduling reasons doesn't mean you're against it!
And this certainly doesn't mean that you are in a 'right-wing corner' or disinterested, as the report in the Weilheimer Tagblatt suggests.
Anyone interested can find out more about the work of the Free Voters of Bavaria digitally.
My office in Weilheim is open to every citizen and for an uncomplicated exchange, we regularly offer regular meetings for free voters in the district, for example on February 15th at 7 p.m. in the Märzenhof near Penzberg.
However, we have no influence on media reporting.
As a politician, and especially as one who publicly expresses her critical opinions, I am well aware of such situations.
Unfortunately, misunderstandings or misinterpretations, and sometimes even very targeted defamation campaigns, are becoming more and more common.
Some people throw dirt in the hope that something will stick.
As free voters, we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated by this.
We have our program in the political center, we always have an open ear for the citizens and, above all, we don't let anyone keep our mouths shut.