“I was there too”
Scholz praises demonstrations against resettlement plans
January 19, 2024, 3:48 p.m
In a video message, the Chancellor sees the Potsdam secret meeting as an “attack on all of us.” Millions of people are affected by the right-wing extremist relocation plans, “our democratic Germany” is in danger, Scholz explains and praises the demonstrations.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the recently announced Potsdam meeting on the mass expulsion of people from Germany. The plans of right-wing extremists and AfD politicians discussed at the secret meeting were “an attack on our democracy – and therefore on all of us,” said Scholz in a video message. Right-wing extremists wanted to “destroy our cohesion.” That’s why “everyone is now called upon to take a clear and unequivocal position: for cohesion, for tolerance, for our democratic Germany.”
In protest against the plans, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets these days “to show their faces – for our democracy and against right-wing extremism,” Scholz continued. “I was also there – at a big rally at my home in Potsdam. Because what we are currently experiencing here in our country really concerns us all – each and every one of us.” If something should “never have a place again” in Germany, it is “the ethnic racial ideology of the National Socialists.”
Scholz said that “millions of people” would be affected by the expulsion plans. “That thought sends icy chills down your spine,” said Scholz. The fact that people are now asking themselves whether they still have a future in Germany is “terrible”. “That’s why I want to say to all of you: You belong to us! Our country needs you!” said Scholz. He also referred to the reform of nationality law that the Bundestag passed on Friday.
“No tolerance for intolerance”
“Anyone who cares for themselves and their family, who chooses our country and shares our values, will in future be able to acquire a German passport after five years instead of eight as before,” said Scholz. Nobody who lives here and makes their contribution has to “deny their roots.” At the same time, everyone who becomes naturalized must make a clear commitment to “the fundamental values of our democratic constitution.” “Racism, anti-Semitism and other anti-human sentiments are not compatible with naturalization,” said Scholz. “No tolerance for intolerance.”
Last week, the research platform Correctiv uncovered a secret meeting of AfD politicians, right-wing extremists and entrepreneurs. According to the research, the participants met near Potsdam in November to discuss the expulsion of millions of people with an immigrant background. In response, tens of thousands of people took to the streets against the right in recent days. Numerous further demonstrations are planned. The revelations are also fueling the debate about a possible ban on the AfD.