SPD manifest: “The failure of the signatories are serious”

In the paper, which became known on Wednesday, prominent SPD politicians such as ex-party leader Norbert Walter-Borjans, former parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich and the member of the Bundestag Ralf Stegner from the Black-Red Federal Government are calling for a fundamental turn in foreign and security policy. Among other things, they are calling for discussions with Russia and stopping new US medium-sized racets in Germany.

The authors also criticize the planned massive increase in defense spending. For the NATO goal of increasing the defense spending of the member states to five percent of the annual economic output, there is “no security policy justification”.

“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: “In one ‘manifest’ call for the SPD peace circles from the federal government-and thus also of its own party leadership-a U-turn in defense policy that they consider to be unfounded, dangerous, even “irrational”. (…) This paper already signals Putin that his grueling strategy bears fruit. The SPD leadership, which is massively attacked with the manifesto, must make it clear at the latest at the party congress that the SPD does not differ from the course taken with the Union. However, the comrades could agree to a sentence of the paper – that one should not forget the teachings from history. The manifesto pretends to take some of them. But one of the most important lessons ignores it: with appeasement you open the gateway to hell to pick up a word in Mützenich. “

“The bell”: “It is a requirement that seems to have fallen from time. ‘manifest’ Sounds like from the past century. (…) What an absurd, non -world and irresponsible idea in view of a terrible war of aggression that has been raging in Ukraine for more than three years and the residents costs life at thousands. (…) The Russian dictator aims to submit, not partnership and dialogue. He exploits wishful thinking and naive willingness to peace mercilessly. Fortunately, the signatories of the paper represent only a small part of the SPD. It is a generation that has arisen over decades of illusion of a friendly Russia and that these lies can no longer admit today. “

“Frankfurter Neue Presse”: “The effect is devastating in domestic policy, because short-term goals are questioned shortly after the Black and red federal government started. And how difficult the foreign policy starting position is, the SPD politicians around ex-parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich does not seem to be clear. The fact that negotiations with Russia are not unsuccessful and President Wladimir Putin is not ready for concessions. The USA and Europeans.

“Südkurier”: “The fact that there are fundamental views of dealing with Russia in the SPD is nothing new. The problem is not the criticism that the rebels around Rolf Mützenich and Ralf Stegner express their party and the federal government, but that they are really and wrong. Also important to think about the time of peace between Ukraine and Russia. Addressat for this paper. “

“Rhein-Zeitung”: “Word reminds the paper of milestones of the east-west anxiety in the 1970s and 80s. Unlike in the Cold War, a hot war rages in Europe in Ukraine, which was triggered by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin alone. And for three years Putin has been proving that he has no interest in peace until the Ukraine surrendered and the aggressive, Russia that is violent in terms of international law.

“The Rheinpfalz”: “The ‘manifest’ Some SPD politicians are a legitimate attempt to overcome the stuck situation in the relationships between Germany, Europe and Russia. However, the signatories hide two things: the repeated rejection of serious diplomatic initiatives by Russia and the actual threat to Europe. The Kremlin no longer tries to hide its imperial conquest fantasies that go far beyond the area of ​​Ukraine. As long as this is the new security policy reality in Europe, there is no way around military deterrence in addition to diplomatic efforts. “

“Stuttgarter Nachrichten”: “The failure of the signatories are serious. Putin has shown that he only understands the language of strength. Anyone who considers the defense spending targeted in NATO to be too high. Only by deterrent there is a chance that Putin will also recognize its limits. Therefore, the required waiver of new US center line rockets in Germany would not harm the day. To say something to the government, they still shape the course of their party.

“Weser-Kurier”: “A solution based on the Russian demands will also not prevent further wars in Europe, but will rather make it more likely. Moldova and the Baltic States are already considered possible goals. Therefore, the federal government and the parties supporting them cannot continue to exist than with the triad – from the support of Ukraine with arms deliveries and sanctions against Russia and as a third of diplomatic initiatives. Until Putin is at risk of being compromised economically or militarily and is ready to compromise. ‘no security policy justification’ Should indicate that the signatories are only willing to put their heads in the sand in view of the actual threat situation in Europe. “

“Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”: “It would be too easy to push Rolf Mützenich and his fellow campaigners as an unteachable, as an illusionary, as a peace-moved spinner. It would be too clumsy to discredit you as a Putin-understander. Sure, the so-called manifest offers starting points for this. This starts to offset out expenditure for climate protection and security policy. Nevertheless: Nevertheless, aside: And if the SPD leadership of this paper is not, even if there are ex-leaderships among its signatories.