The country's Prime Minister... - Ramelow: Catholic Day not a platform for AfD's "victim narrative"
Bodo Ramelow, the Prime Minister of Thuringia (Left Party), agrees with the decision of the German Catholic Church Congress to not invite the AfD participants to discussions. He mentioned that AfD politicians often portray themselves as victims after invitations to dialogue. "They just want to make themselves look like they're being targeted," Ramelow said during a conversation in Erfurt on Thursday. "It seems like the Catholic Church Congress has no desire to engage in this kind of misleading conversation."
Discussing with AfD politicians or affiliates currently proves difficult due to their unwillingness to engage in genuine conversation, according to Ramelow. He had more successful conversations with them in the past, but not anymore. Thuringian AfD leader Björn Höcke has changed the way AfD operates, transforming it into something similar to a fascist party. "It's not clear if we should be providing these individuals with platforms for discussion," Ramelow said.
Ramelow is open to engaging with voters of the AfD but will present his arguments in a way that can be challenged. He encourages everyone to reflect on what they're really supporting. "Whether you vote for the Left, the CDU, or the FDP, it's all good with me," he stated. However, when critiquing the AfD, it's common to label everything they do as wrong. This type of criticism doesn't actually scrutinize their beliefs and values, and Ramelow believes that can be reductive and ineffective.
The 103rd German Catholic Church Congress commenced on Wednesday in Erfurt. Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr agreed with the choice of not inviting the AfD to the stage, just like Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow.
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- Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow of Thuringia (Left Party) agrees with the German Catholic Church's decision to exclude AfD participants from their discussions, as he believes the AfD often assumes the "victim role" after being invited to dialogues.
- During the German Catholic Church Congress in Erfurt, Bishop Ulrich Neymeyr and Prime Minister Ramelow shared similar views, rejecting the idea of inviting AfD politicians to the stage due to their tendency to distort conversations.
- In response to criticism about not engaging with AfD voters, Ramelow stated that he is open to dialogue with them, but he would present his arguments in a way that encourages critical thinking, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing the beliefs and values of all parties, not just the AfD.
- Disagreeing with the labeling of the AfD as solely wrong, Prime Minister Ramelow warned against reductive and ineffective criticism, stressing the need for nuanced and constructive discussions that engage with the underlying issues rather than simply dismissing the party as a whole.
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