“How we treat each other is a major factor in determining the strength of our country,” said the SPD politician on Monday in Erfurt, in Thuringia. The central ceremony for German unity will take place there this year. “Attempts at division from within and without have left their mark on us.” Fake news, hatred and hate speech are directed against the cohesion, which is urgently needed right now.
Thanks to GDR civil rights activists
Bärbel Bas once again thanked the civil rights activists and the demonstrators in the former GDR. “Anyone who protests today, protected by fundamental rights, can do so because these women and men took a great personal risk and stood up for democracy and freedom,” said the President of Parliament. “These people put responsibility for themselves and others instead of fear, even after the fall of the wall.”
Today, many people have doubts as to whether there is any point in talking to one another. But live democracy from the dispute. “It is necessary for us to talk to each other, especially about sensitive issues such as compulsory vaccination or arms deliveries,” said Bas. Democratic disputes lead to solutions.
“But understanding and respect cannot thrive in a toxic atmosphere,” she added. Democracy is damaged when committed people withdraw. “I wish for less anger and more respect, less bossiness and more curiosity, less prejudice and more empathy,” said Bas.
“An important sign at the right time”
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) called the celebrations on German Unity Day “a good, important sign at the right time”. In Europe today there is a unity of democratic constitutional states that rely on a social market economy. “That will make us strong, also in the future,” he said on the sidelines of the celebrations under the motto “grow together”.
In addition to Bas – to her right – Federal President Steinmeier, Chancellor Scholz and the President of the Federal Constitutional Court Harbarth also came. Left in the picture: Thuringia’s Prime Minister Ramelow
The Prime Minister of Thuringia and current President of the Federal Council, Bodo Ramelow (left), also drew attention to the war in Ukraine in his speech. Russia’s war of aggression “can’t be justified by anything at all”. Germany stands in solidarity with Ukraine. East Germany developed well after 1990. But new ideas are also needed for cooperation on an equal footing.
The celebrations began in the morning with a service in Erfurt Cathedral. The peace commissioner of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Bishop Friedrich Kramer from Central Germany, warned in his sermon for non-violence, in Germany and worldwide.
At first only a few guests had gathered on the cathedral square in Erfurt in the early morning
October 3rd commemorates German reunification in 1990, almost a year after the peaceful revolution in the GDR in autumn 1989. Thuringia currently holds the presidency of the Federal Council and is therefore organizing the reunification celebrations. A public festival has been taking place in Erfurt’s city center since Saturday.
haz/hf (dpa, epd, kna, afp)
