Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated during a book reading in Peenemünde on Usedom that her past political decisions, including her handling of the Euro crisis and the 2015 refugee summer, gave momentum to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Speaking before roughly 1,200 attendees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern while promoting her autobiography „Freiheit“, the former CDU leader cautioned that democratic parties will fail in their approach to the AfD if they simply adopt its topics and try to rhetorically outdo them without offering concrete solutions.”
Angela Merkel Discusses AfD Rise and 2015 Refugee Decisions at Usedom Reading
During the 90-minute event, Merkel read passages from her book and discussed her administration’s actions, receiving repeated applause from the audience. She acknowledged that her decision to admit Syrian refugees arriving from Hungary in 2015, alongside her policies during the Euro crisis, contributed to the rise of the AfD. However, she emphasized that democratic parties must not abandon core principles—such as the European Union’s unity, freedom of movement, and the protection of human dignity—in an effort to diminish the party.
“I am convinced, if they assume to be able to keep the AfD small by unceasingly talking about their topics and wanting to rhetorically outdo them best in the process, without offering actual solutions for existing problems, then they will fail,” Merkel said.
Did You Know? Angela Merkel’s autobiography is titled „Freiheit“ (Freedom), a central theme she frequently emphasizes in public appearances and her literary work.”
Defending Democracy and Confronting Modern Political Discourse
Beyond party politics, Merkel used the reading to address broader democratic challenges. Reading from her book, she noted that truth and lies are currently labeled in unprecedented ways by individuals in leading positions, even within democracies. She stressed that true freedom requires democratic conditions and urged citizens to actively protect their democracy.
“If we want to live in freedom, we must defend our democracy (…) against those who threaten it,” Merkel told the crowd, adding that success depends on mutual cooperation and engagement. She also invoked the English phrase “there is no free lunch” to remind the audience that preserving freedom demands personal effort and responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event was Angela Merkel attending on Usedom?
She was holding a public reading of her autobiography, „Freiheit“, before an audience of about 1,200 people in Peenemünde, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.”
Which political decisions did Merkel link to the rise of the AfD?
She pointed to her government’s policies during the Euro crisis and her 2015 decision to accept Syrian refugees arriving from Hungary.
What strategy did Merkel advise democratic parties to avoid?
She warned against trying to diminish the AfD by constantly discussing its topics and attempting to rhetorically outmatch it without providing actual solutions to existing problems.
How do you view the balance between addressing public concerns and maintaining core democratic principles in modern politics?
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