As of: February 29, 2024, 1:00 p.m
By: Volker Ufertinger
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Promoting democracy: When the declaration was handed over to the press on the Starnberger Dampfersteg, the district executives (from left) Elisabeth Fuchsenberger (SPD), Martin Ballmann (ÖDP), Hans-Georg Frinder (FW), Verena Machnik (Greens), Paul met Friedrich (FDP), Dr.
Ute Eiling-Hütig (CSU), Harald Kirsten (ÖDP) and Dr.
Florian Hönicke (Greens).
© Andrea Jaksch
The district chairmen of most parties have spoken out in favor of democracy and against extremism in a statement.
This primarily refers to the AfD.
District
- In recent weeks, millions of citizens across Germany have taken to the streets to take a stand against right-wing extremism.
In Starnberg, a sea of lights on the lake promenade is planned for next Sunday, March 3rd, at 6:30 p.m.
In this situation, where many people have the feeling that a new 1933 could be imminent, the district politicians also set an example.
“We live in times where we cannot remain silent,” says state parliament member Dr.
Ute Eiling-Hütig (CSU).
“Hate and agitation are dividing our society; we want to oppose this with all our might.” In the Maximilianeum, she experienced the behavior of the AfD up close.
“The screaming has gotten even worse compared to 2023.”
The initiative for this democratic solidarity came from the Greens.
“The people who demonstrate rightly expect us politicians to also commit to democracy,” explains district spokeswoman Verena Machnik.
It is clear to her that this form of government can be stressful and does not always satisfy everyone.
“But it is a guarantor of peace – and always protects the weakest in a society.” In their eyes, the democratic parties must use the opportunity of the upcoming European election campaign to present the AfD with arguments.
This calls for Germany to leave the EU.
“The consequences would be devastating in every respect.”
The declaration verbatim
“Despite all our differences, we as democratic parties in the Starnberg district are united in our no-alternative commitment to the values of our democracy, human dignity, peaceful, respectful interaction with one another and cohesion in our society, which includes everyone equally.
We hereby make a clear, democratic commitment to our free basic order and emphasize that we will defend ourselves against hatred, hate speech, exclusion and extremism of any kind now and in the future!
At the same time, we encourage all citizens to support our democracy and our community through the various participation opportunities in our country.”
Signatories
: Verena Machnik and Dr.
Florian Hönicke (Greens), Dr.
Ute Eiling-Hütig (CSU), Britta Hundesrügge and Paul Friedrich (FDP), Hans-Georg Frinder (FW), Harald Kirsten and Martin Ballmann (ÖDP), Christiane Feichtmeier (SPD)
Sissy Fuchsenberger, deputy district chairwoman of the SPD, recalled the 1920s.
“Until the end, no one wanted to believe that the worst would happen,” she said.
The situation is quite comparable to that of today.
“In the present, networks and structures have been created again that can be used.” The SPD has a long tradition in the fight against fascism and right-wing forces and shows respect for diverse origin stories, beliefs, biographies, life plans and sexual orientations.
Also read: This is how a CSU man came under AfD suspicion
The Free Voters were happy to join the Greens’ initiative.
Hans-Georg Frinder, deputy district chairman of the Free Voters, thinks it is “great that more and more citizens are standing up and showing that they are against Nazis, fascists and religious extremism.”
The statement renews an old basic consensus across all parties.
But he also didn't spare his criticism of the previous behavior against the AfD: "Some people in the political scene used to make themselves too comfortable." He called on the parties to stop the "long-term election campaign" and to work on solving problems again in a matter-of-fact tone .
Also read: Appeal for vigilance against right-wing extremism
Paul Friedrich, co-district chairman of the FDP, sees the problem that the liberal basic values of the Basic Law - democracy, diversity and freedom - are currently particularly threatened.
His appeal: “Democracy cannot be consumed, you have to live it.”
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Harald Kirsten, district chairman of the ÖDP, is of the opinion that “finding citizen-oriented, real solutions” strengthens democracy.
This also includes promoting “learning and recognizing the complexity of political decision-making processes”.
The very first step he calls for: “Make it clear that everyone is asked to vote.”
The left in the district was asked to take part in the democratic solidarity, but did not respond.
And the AfD?
Wasn't asked.
“It’s against extremism,” says Machnik.
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