2024-05-13 01:20:14
Declaration of war primarily to the AfD, but also to the traffic lights: With this line, the Union is entering the hot phase of the European election campaign. CDU leader Merz has a clear goal.
The Union opened the hot phase of its European election campaign with a broadside against the AfD and attacks on the traffic light coalition. In Berlin, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for European values and achievements to be defended against populists and extremists in the June election: “No state can be built, nor a European Union, with Kremlin servants, those who despise democracy and extremists.” said the CDU politician at the CDU federal party conference.
With regard to the federal government, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann emphasized: “One traffic light in Europe is enough.” His CSU colleague Martin Huber added that a “stop sign for the traffic lights in Berlin and Brussels” was needed in the European elections on June 9th.
Combative and admonishing CDU chairman
The CDU chairman Friedrich Merz assured von der Leyen that the Union would do everything to ensure that she could remain President of the Commission. This will also succeed. “I say to everyone out there who doubts this: Don’t doubt the willingness of the CDU and CSU and the entire European People’s Party to achieve exactly this goal. We will achieve it.”
Merz warned that in 2024 there is a risk of a more fundamental change in European politics than ever before: “If the democratic and liberal forces do not manage to win the consent of citizens throughout the European Union in these European elections, then more will stand up the game as just a party-political shift somewhere in the European Parliament”. It is important to preserve the legacy of European politics.
In his closing speech at the party conference, Merz assured France and Poland of closer cooperation through a Union-led federal government. He knows from his meetings in Paris and Warsaw that they are waiting for more leadership responsibility from Germany.
Attacks on the AfD
Von der Leyen took aim at the AfD and called them an “arsonist in the European house.” She pointed out the massive allegations against the AfD Europe’s top candidates Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron as well as a former employee of Krah. “Before the European elections, the AfD is making propaganda for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and espionage for China. And first the AfD raves about the people and the fatherland. And then the AfD secretly betrays this fatherland to the autocrats. They should be ashamed of themselves.”
The EU Commission President warned with regard to the AfD’s demand for the dismantling of the EU in its existing form: “Whoever sets fire to the European house also puts an ax to the internal market, which is the basis of our prosperity.” A withdrawal from the European Union, as the AfD is calling for, could cost Germany 10 percent of its economic output, would result in an annual loss of prosperity of 400 to 500 billion euros and would immediately destroy 2.2 million jobs, she said. The AfD’s European election program is a “job destruction program”.
CSU top candidate Manfred Weber said there were only a few people left who were calling for Germany to leave the European Union. “Not even Wilders in the Netherlands is demanding this, not even Le Pen is demanding this, not even the FPÖ is demanding this. But our German AfD stands with Höcke and says: ‘This Europe must die.'” The Union has a Christian democratic Europe embossed. “We are in the front row to defend our Europe against these neo-Nazis.”
Threat to security
Von der Leyen promised Ukraine continued full support in its defensive fight against Russia. With prolonged applause, the 1,001 delegates greeted former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who was visibly moved.
Von der Leyen warned with regard to Kremlin boss Putin’s actions: “If Putin’s cold calculations in Ukraine work out, none of us in Europe will be safe anymore.” Europe must therefore invest more in peace and freedom again. “Because the price we would have to pay if Russia annexed Ukraine would be many times higher. And that is why Europe must invest more money in defense again. We must invest more wisely. We must invest together.” Von der Leyen emphasized: “We want a Europe that can defend itself.”
Action against illegal migration
The EU Commission President also spoke out in favor of taking more decisive action against illegal migration to Europe. Hardly any other topic is more important and is so important to people. “Smugglers and smugglers are behind illegal migration. This is organized crime.” This must be fought harder.