President of the State Parliament: Everyone bears responsibility for democracy
Birgit Hesse, President of the State Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has described November 9 as a day of destiny for Germans. The events associated with this day showed both the value of democracy and freedom, as well as the threats to peaceful coexistence between people. "November 9th reminds us, but it also gives us hope," said Hesse on Thursday in the state parliament in Schwerin. Everyone has a responsibility to stand up for democracy, to defend it and to preserve it for future generations.
Hesse listed the historical events associated with 9 November: the end of the German Empire in 1918, the failed Hitler-Ludendorff putsch in 1923, the Reich Pogrom Night in 1938 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Although the events were of a contradictory nature, they revealed the nature of democracy: "It is not simply a political system, but a network of values, hopes and human relationships. It is ambivalent and at times exhausting. It is both robust and fragile," said Hesse.
The Reichspogromnacht, which was one of the darkest chapters in German history, showed "how quickly a mixture of propaganda, prejudice and the failure of institutions can have a devastating effect if all of this is not stopped". However, the fall of the Berlin Wall showed "that the human will, when guided by hope, solidarity and a striving for freedom, can also set positive developments in motion", Hesse emphasized.
Even today, democracy is facing numerous challenges: the spread of populism, polarization in society and the increase in violent global conflicts. "These trends have the potential to disrupt social cohesion and undermine the values that make up our democracy," warned Hesse, urging us to stand up for the values of peaceful coexistence. The MPs observed a minute's silence in remembrance of the historical events.
Parliament has played a significant role in the history of democracy, serving as a platform for upholding its values and protecting its principles. The Parliament's role in this regard was exemplified by Birgit Hesse, the President of the State Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, who emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in preserving democracy.
Source: www.dpa.com
