The ex-president of the German Bundestag gave the speech at the opening ceremony of the parliament and then spoke about dangers to society, war, migration and the peculiarities of Austria.
The former president of the German Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble, 80, delivered the speech at the opening of the renovated parliament. The CDU politician, who has been active for 50 years, then took the time to talk about Austria, Europe and the world with the chairman of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka.
“crown”: In your speech you said that democracy was in danger. Why?
Schauble: Let’s take Donald Trump. It’s not the cause, it’s the tip of the iceberg. The division of the United States is terrible. Or look at Bolsonaro in Brazil. In Austria and Germany it is still possible, but in France, for example, the classic parties have been pulverized. Democracy is not unconditional, it is impudence. It’s also not a supermarket where you help yourself. Democracy does not work without cohesion. In addition, there is no common communication. Social media and their bubbles burst.
Saturday: We face the challenge that the next generation will have to learn more about democracy. Well-educated young people are more critical and less receptive to populist tendencies.
What are the responsibilities of those in government?
Schauble: In Germany we tend to agree with everyone. But democracy needs leadership. Franz Josef Strauss once said: Everyone’s darling is everyone’s ox. But confrontation alone is useless, let’s go to war: the chancellor is trying to walk the thin line to support Ukraine as best he can, but there is also a chance of escalation. Putin broke the taboo and made nuclear weapons an issue.
Saturday: The world has become very complex. Quite a few are looking for simple answers. What I miss more and more in politics is the common ground.
A common ground is difficult to achieve in Europe.
Schauble: We also need an overarching set of rules of action, such as defense. Nothing against Austrian idiosyncrasies, but it only works together. There must be a European solution to complement NATO. The countries that want this should take the lead. Poland with the largest conventional army, Germany with the economy and France with nuclear power.
Austria’s role?
Schauble: I am old enough to have followed the development of Austria, including its permanent neutrality. Austria takes its responsibility seriously, also when it comes to migration.
Hungary has 50 asylum applications, Austria 100,000.
Schauble: Why go to Hungary? But if the others do not show solidarity, then we cannot say that we do not show solidarity.
Is there a chance of an end to the war?
Putin hopes for fatigue. In Ukraine and with us. Biden has made it clear to him that responding to a nuclear escalation would be devastating to his conventional forces. I thought that was wise.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
