Leaders oppose vote on the Constitutional Framework.
Thuringia's leader Bodo Ramelow suggests getting rid of the Basic Law and replacing it with a new constitution. Neighbouring regions Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt disagree.
The leaders of Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, Dietmar Woidke and Reiner Haseloff, aren't on board with Ramelow's plan for a referendum on the Basic Law. According to a report from magazine "Stern", they criticized this idea from their colleague in Thuringia. "We should not be aiming to hold a vote on the Basic Law after 75 years, but rather to keep it alive, respect it, and preserve it", said Haseloff in this report.
Ramelow argued in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" that a vote was already allowed through Article 146 of the Basic Law. This article says the Basic Law is only in effect until a new constitution replaces it, decided by the German people. This could help fix the "emotional distance" east Germans have towards the Basic Law, Ramelow stated. Additionally, some people think that if Article 146 were changed, it would mean that the Federal Republic doesn't exist. Today, 75 years ago, was the day the Basic Law was proclaimed by the Parliamentary Council.
"There are still unresolved issues between the eastern and western parts of Germany that need to be resolved", said Woidke to "Stern" magazine. "No East German would benefit from referendums on Article 146 of the Basic Law." The Basic Law has been the foundation for freedom, well-being, and progress in Germany for 75 years. He thinks getting rid of Article 146 is a better option, said Woidke.
Haseloff shared with "Stern" that the Basic Law has been working in the east for decades. "We East Germans don't want to be the face of celebrations and speeches, but we do want to be the ones making decisions. For example, in leadership roles in companies, committees, or federal authorities", he said. East Germans are still underrepresented in these areas.
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- Despite Bodo Ramelow's proposal for a referendum on the Basic Law in Thuringia, Reiner Haseloff, the leader of Saxony-Anhalt, and Dietmar Woidke from Brandenburg, both voiced their disagreement and emphasized the importance of preserving the Basic Law.
- In an interview with "Stern" magazine, Dietmar Woidke, the leader of Brandenburg, expressed his concern about holding referendums on Article 146 of the Basic Law, stating that no East German would benefit from such an action.
- Reiner Haseloff, the leader of Saxony-Anhalt, shared in the same "Stern" interview that East Germans have been successfully operating under the Basic Law for decades and advocate for more representation in decision-making roles, such as leadership positions in companies and committees.
Source: www.ntv.de
