Plea for a robust democracy
German President Steinmeier appeals for commitment to democracy and humanity in memory of 9 November. Education Minister Prien recalls the horrors of the Holocaust.
Berlin/Amsterdam (dpa/d.de) - In his speech on 9 November, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier draws a line from the historical legacy of this fateful day in German history to the present. Steinmeier painted a bleak picture of the current situation. “Never before in the history of our reunified country were democracy and freedom so under attack. Threatened by a Russian aggressor who has shattered our peaceful order and against whom we must defend ourselves. And presently threatened by right-wing extremist forces that are undermining our democracy and gaining support among the population.”
There are fortunately many who are committed to democracy and humanity – in local politics, in sports associations and various initiatives. “And to them I say thank you for giving us all hope.”
In memory of the pogrom night on 9 November 1938, Education Minister Karin Prien used a memorial event organised by the Jewish community in Amsterdam to call for resistance against anti-Semitism. This day remains a constant reminder to keep the memory alive. Prien also spoke about her own Jewish roots, she was born in Amsterdam and studied there.
9 November is associated with so many key events in German history – above all Reichspogromnacht in 1938 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
