Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for more commitment to democracy. At the same time, she appealed to talk less about the AfD and instead make her own political offers. “We have to fight more for democracy,” said the CDU politician in the Deutschlandradio Kultur radio station in Berlin during a conversation with students.
The conversation marked the start of the four-part series “Merkel unplugged,” in which Merkel meets school classes from all over Germany. The focus was on the value of compromise, the shift to the right and the future of democracy.
Compromises are essential for a democracy, said Merkel. The prerequisite is to represent your own opinion, but also to listen to others and put yourself in their shoes.
At the same time, there are clear boundaries: “Compromise at any price is not possible.” Anyone who denies other people's rights or sees violence as a means of confrontation is crossing these boundaries. The benchmark is the Basic Law and the dignity of every human being.
Merkel strictly rejects cooperation with the AfD. This also applies to the election of a state parliament president if this supports positions that she considers to be incompatible with basic democratic values. With regard to Saxony-Anhalt, she referred to the AfD's demands to abolish public broadcasting or to stop financing the Bauhaus.
However, there is a difference between the AfD and the Left Party. Although she often does not share the positions of the Left, they are generally not directed against the Basic Law.
The parties in the political center would have to give more of their own answers to social problems. “And we have to be extremely careful now that we don’t make those we don’t want to make big bigger and bigger because we’re constantly talking about them,” said Merkel.
In response to a student question, Merkel was critical of statements made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) about the cityscape and dental services for asylum seekers. “I personally wouldn’t use that language,” she said. Specific grievances should be addressed, but one must avoid blanket exclusion of entire groups. “We always have to talk about the individual person.”
At the same time, Merkel admitted to failings during her 16 years in office. When it comes to digitalization, Germany has lagged behind in many areas, and money has not been spent quickly enough on defense. The challenges of her reign included, among other things, the global financial and euro crisis, the refugee movement and the corona pandemic.
“I wouldn’t leave Germany to them”
In view of the shift to the right and young people's fears for the future, Merkel advised against emigration. “I wouldn’t leave Germany to them,” she said. She continues to believe that the defenders of democracy are strong enough. At the same time, people need to do more to preserve them.
She definitely sees a future worth living for young people. However, they would have to formulate their ideas more clearly and become more socially involved. Anyone who gets involved in a club or a social project realizes that they can make a difference. This also helps against fear and powerlessness.
Five classes from Potsdam, Lingen, Cottbus, Hamburg-Bergedorf and Lübz took part in the conversation. The “Merkel unplugged” series continues on December 9th. The conversations can be heard via the Deutschlandfunk app and ARD Sounds as well as in the Deutschlandfunk Kultur program.
