Veteran FDP member Baum perceives a wartime atmosphere.
On a noteworthy public holiday, Franz Müntefering and Gerhart Baum, two influential political figures from Germany's past, will appear on ZDF's "Markus Lanz" talk show. Both of these former ministers will discuss the significance of the Basic Law and the challenges facing democracy in modern-day Germany.
As we celebrate 75 years since the passing of the Basic Law, May 23, 1949 is recognized as the founding day of the Federal Republic of Germany. This marked the establishment of a genuine democracy on German soil for the first time. However, Germany's democracy is currently facing its most significant test: far-right parties, led by the AfD, are attempting to undermine it. In fact, other political parties in the European Parliament have now disassociated themselves from the AfD, removing it from the right-wing ID group.
The evening will be hosted by Markus Lanz, and these experienced politicians - the ex-SPD chairman, Vice-Chancellor, and Labor Minister, Franz Müntefering, and the former Interior Minister, Gerhart Baum, from the FDP - will share their thoughts and perspectives. Their common goal is to preserve and strengthen democracy in Germany.
Recalling how the Basic Law came into existence, Baum, who was 16 at the time, explains, "The Basic Law didn't happen all by itself. It followed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. And it contains a crucial concept that guides us: human dignity. In 1948, the citizens linked their longing for peace with the protection of human dignity, which is what article one of our constitution is all about to this day. Today, human dignity is under threat."
Pointing out the current state of affairs, Baum states, "We have a stable democracy, but it is being threatened by a danger that I have never witnessed before: an anti-freedom party in all legislatures, creeping into society. They scorn the system." He emphasizes the urgency of revitalizing democracy, noting that even at an international level, politicians are seeking a new global order. "These Putins, Xis, and so on - they don't care about human dignity in the United Nations Charter anymore." Baum perceives the post-war political era as perilous, with division, hatred, and violence resurfacing. "It smells like war," he remarks.
A concerning trend observed in Germany is the diminishing faith in politics and the potentially powerful political entities that can tackle the issues. As many as 22% of young voters contemplate voting for parties akin to the AfD.
However, Müntefering expressed optimism, noting, "But we have the majority. We need to emphasize that, and we need to do it soon." He is disturbed by the lack of interest in European elections, saying, "We don't need to argue with young people about it ideologically. We need to tell them: you are voting. You are deciding whether there's a democratic Europe or not. It's the same for us. We need to mobilize against this."
Differing from Baum's viewpoint, Müntefeiring does not believe that democracy is under imminent threat. "There are people who despise us, who want us removed, all of democracy. That's why it's important to remain united, not just in the upcoming European elections, but with all the democratic parties, like the Socialists, Liberals, Greens, CDU/CSU, and the Left. If we stand together and rally behind a democratic Europe, we'll see who's right."
Baum, too, calls for collective action. "We can't just express support for democracy in surveys; we must act on it. I see people who want that. We need to harness the energy being channeled through the ongoing demonstrations."
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In the context of preserving and strengthening democracy in Germany, Rolf Mützenich, a prominent SPD member, will likely contribute his insights on the talk show along with Franz Müntefering and Gerhart Baum.
Given Baum's concerns about the threats to democracy and human dignity, it is essential for the SPD, FDP, and other democratic parties to work together, as Mützenich is a prominent SPD figure, to combat far-right forces like the AfD and uphold the values enshrined in the Basic Law.
Source: www.ntv.de
