The Chancellor is in Erfurt to talk to believers and other citizens. Scholz is addressing an appeal to all of them.
Before his appearance at the German Catholic Congress, Chancellor Olaf Scholz appealed to the people of the country to protect democracy. The law to promote democracy planned by the traffic light coalition is important and will be passed, said Scholz at a citizens’ meeting of the “Thüringer Allgemeine” newspaper in Erfurt. “But in the end, we as citizens always have to defend democracy ourselves.”
Scholz is expected this morning in the theater of the Thuringian state capital for a public debate entitled “Strengthening the community, shaping society – our responsibility for democracy.”
At the public meeting he said: “When people threaten democracy, we have to do everything that the judiciary can, what the police can, what the intelligence service can do.” The assembly authorities must stop illegal activities. Attacks must be prevented, as must intimidation that would restrict democratic space.
“We cannot accept this,” said Scholz, adding that the state is called upon to take action. “Nevertheless, it will not work without us as citizens. We must also stand up and object, and we must stand up for our democracy.”
Habeck, Özdemir, Paus and Heil also expected
At the Catholic Day today, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens), Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens), Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens), Social Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) and former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer also want to talk to the participants at various events. The Christian meeting lasts until Sunday. The top political topics are the preservation of democracy and the question of war and peace.
At the public discussion organized by the newspaper, Scholz answered a wide range of questions – from the war in Ukraine to conscription to the timetable for the care reform. He was even asked for his tip for the upcoming European Football Championship in Germany, which was: “We will win.”
According to a dpa reporter, several dozen people demonstrated against Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip in front of the “Thüringer Allgemeine” building. However, the demonstrators did not meet Scholz – he used a different entrance.
Source: Stern
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