31st Anniversary of Unification... German Chancellor Merkel: "We Must Strive for Democracy Every Day"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the 3rd (local time) called for continuous efforts for democracy on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany.

In her speech at the German Unity Day commemorative ceremony held at the Georg Friedrich Handel Auditorium in Saxony-Anhalt on the same day, Chancellor Merkel said, "Democracy does not just exist," adding, "We must strive for democracy every day."

Chancellor Merkel diagnosed, "Sometimes democratic achievements are treated too carelessly," and "Recently, attacks on precious assets such as freedom of the press have been increasing."

She continued, "As a result, lies, fake information, hostility, and hatred are openly incited," pointing out that "democracy is under attack and social bonds are being tested."

Merkel argued that the barbarization and radicalization of verbal attacks must be rejected by everyone because they soon lead to violence, such as the shooting attacks at the Halle synagogue, the Hanau hookah bar, and the recent shooting and killing of a gas station employee who required mask-wearing.

Merkel pointed out, "On a day like today, we must honestly ask ourselves how we treat each other, how much respect we have, and how well we protect democracy from those who disdain or despise it."

She emphasized, "Diversity and differences do not threaten democracy," adding, "This especially applies to the people of East and West Germany who followed diverse life paths until reunification in 1990."

Chancellor Merkel said that although 31 years have passed since reunification, 16 million people from East Germany still have to prove their belonging to unified Germany, citing examples where her own East German background was described as an 'unnecessary burden' or where she was portrayed as a 'non-native, learned German or European.'

She concluded, "We must be prepared to meet, be curious about each other, talk, and endure differences. We must respect each other's backgrounds, experiences, and democracy. This is the lesson of the 31st anniversary of German reunification."

This speech was Chancellor Merkel's last during her tenure, and about 340 attendees, including President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, unusually stood up and gave a standing ovation when the speech containing 'personal stories' ended.

Rainer Haseloff, Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, who hosted this year's German Unity Day ceremony as the President of the Federal Council, said in his speech, "German reunification is not yet complete mentally or structurally," adding, "Especially as shown by the recent general election results, there is a significant gap in political orientation between East and West Germany."

This was interpreted as targeting the fact that in the recent general election, the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) alliance lost many votes in the former East Germany, and the far-right 'Alternative for Germany (AfD)' became the largest party in Saxony and Thuringia.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young, who attended the event upon official invitation from the Presidents of the German Federal Council and Bundestag, exchanged greetings with Olaf Scholz, the Social Democratic Party's chancellor candidate, former Berlin Mayor Michael M?ller, and held a meeting with Federal Council President Haseloff.

Minister Lee, the only foreign government senior official invited to this small-scale event held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, wrote in the guestbook, "Congratulations on the 31st anniversary of German reunification, the eternal friend of peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.