According to its President, Germany has long taken peace for granted. In view of the Ukraine war, Frank-Walter Steinmeier is now demanding a “will to strength”.
On the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the need to defend democracy.
“We were too sure that peace, freedom, prosperity are a matter of course,” Steinmeier said in view of the Russian war in Ukraine on Sunday at the DGB federal congress in Berlin. “This war is making it brutally clear to us that we must protect and defend our democracy – internally and externally!”
The defensiveness of democracy is not only necessary in Sunday speeches. The Bundeswehr must be better equipped. “Foreign policy and diplomacy will also be needed in the future.” But successful negotiations can only be achieved from a position of strength. “We have to have and show this will to be strong,” said Steinmeier. At this point there was no applause during the speech to the trade unionists, which was otherwise interrupted several times by applause.
Steinmeier: “Cynic abuse of history” by Putin
With a view to the anxiously awaited speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia’s victory over National Socialist Germany in 1945, Steinmeier said: “If on May 9th Putin equated the fight against National Socialism with his brutal, illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, then this is also a perfidious and cynical abuse of history.”
Steinmeier described the war as an “epoch break” that forced Europeans to make painful insights. “The attack on Ukraine is also an attack on the idea of liberal democracy and the values on which it is based: freedom, equality, respect for human rights and human dignity.” With full conviction and wholeheartedly, Germany stands with its European neighbors on the side of Ukraine. Another lesson learned on May 8, 1945, is that Europeans should not allow themselves to be driven apart again by nationalism and hatred of peoples. “Nationalism, hatred of peoples and imperial madness must not dominate the future of Europe.”
“Cesura” also in economic terms?
The Federal President recalled former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev’s vision of a common European house. “But today, May 8th, the dream of a common European house has failed. A nightmare has taken its place. This May 8th is a day of war.”
At the same time, Steinmeier, in his own words, wants to give space to fears as a result of the war. Many Germans want to do more to support the Ukrainians, but are also afraid that Germany could become a war party.
With a view to the corona pandemic and the Ukraine war, Steinmeier spoke of a “break” in the global economy. “The lesson can only be: Not only the cheapest price on the world markets can decide who you do business with,” said Steinmeier to applause from the unionists.
DGB chief calls for ceasefire
Steinmeier called on the trade unions to be self-confident. They made a contribution to the success of democracy, this “strong pillar” must carry on. DGB boss Reiner Hoffmann called on Putin to commemorate the historic end of the war: “Use this day of peace and end this illegal war in Ukraine immediately.” Armistice now is the demand of the German, European and international trade unions worldwide.
As part of the so-called Parliament of Labor, which takes place every four years, the SPD politician Yasmin Fahimi is to be elected the new DGB chairwoman on Monday. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) paid tribute to Hoffmann, who has been at the head of the DGB since 2014: “In more than turbulent times as DGB chairman, you tirelessly represented the interests of employees for eight years.”
Source: Stern
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