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In the Bundestag, the chancellor defends the “closure of the breakwater” and emphasizes that the debate on the new measures strengthens democracy. But during his speech, Parliament is concerned.
Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the broad debate on tough anti-crown measures and warned against populism. “Critical debate does not weaken democracy, it strengthens it,” said the CDU policy in its government statement in the Berlin Bundestag.
But he also warned: “Soothing illusions and populist trivialization would not only be unreal. They would be irresponsible.” He added: “Lies and misinformation, conspiracies and hatred are damaging not only the democratic debate but also the fight against the virus.”
The speech was accompanied by boos
During the statement, there was an unusually large number of shout calls from the AfD. The president of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble, was forced to interrupt Merkel and warn the deputies that they should discipline. You can see the scenes in the video at the top of the article. or here.
The country is in an exceptionally difficult situation, Schäuble stressed. When AfD MPs interrupted him with boos, he warned: “If you interrupt the president, you will immediately get calls to order, that’s dangerous.”
“Adequate, necessary and proportionate”
Merkel defended the drastic cuts against the uncontrolled spread of the corona pathogen in Germany as needed. “The measures that we are taking now are adequate, necessary and proportionate,” said the chancellor in the Bundestag.
General contact restrictions should serve primarily to protect groups at risk. The risk of more and more family members becoming infected is great. It is simply impossible to fully protect those who are particularly at risk, Merkel emphasized: “That is why the other concepts do not convince me.” Therefore, the only possibility is to interrupt the increase in the number of infections by systematically reducing contacts.
“I understand the frustration”
Merkel showed understanding that many people are upset by the new closures, for example in the restaurant sector. “I understand the frustration, yes, the desperation, especially in these areas,” he said. Many had developed hygiene concepts and now wonder if their efforts have been in vain. “They are not,” Merkel promised. The concepts would soon go into effect again if the current infection rate were contained.
Merkel also called again to avoid unnecessary personal encounters: “Just as human beings have already overcome so many important problems in our history, each and every one of us can actively contribute to us in the pandemic.” Facing the pandemic by joining forces, “said the CDU politician. And actively contribute to it, which in this case means: give up any contact that is not absolutely necessary. That is precisely the core of the fight against the pandemic, from where all our measures start ”.
Merkel put the population in the mood for difficult months, but she was also confident. “Winter is going to be difficult. Four long and difficult months. But it will end,” he said. In the last eight months, we have already learned together and supported each other. “That is what distinguishes this society. This willingness to help, this public spirit is what gives me confidence.”
The virus is a European challenge
Looking to Europe, Merkel emphasized that the joint fight against the corona pandemic was crucial for the future of the continent. “The way in which we deal with the pandemic at the European level … will also have a decisive influence on how Europe’s performance is evaluated, and thus the legitimacy of our social and economic system around the world,” said. Europe faces stiff global competition.
Neighboring countries are also severely affected by the virus. They would take drastic measures. “However, I am convinced that in Europe we are better prepared for the current situation than at the beginning of the pandemic.” There is also European cohesion in the supply of vaccines. So the preparations for vaccination were, also in Germany. In addition, Germany is working closely with its partners at the entrance and coordinating the Corona warning application with them.
The federal and state governments agreed on Wednesday to break the second wave of corona infections with strict protective measures. Starting Monday, there will be strict contact restrictions for citizens, and restaurants, cultural establishments and many other facilities will have to close. The rules should apply until the end of November.
