Chancellor Angela Merkel made a call to the society of Germany to defend democracy against hatred, violence and misinformation. This during his farewell with military honors led by Bundeswehr forces.
“Wherever scientific knowledge is denied, and conspiracy theories and turmoil spread, the response must be vehement,” he said Thursday night at a grand farewell ceremony in Berlin.
During her farewell, the German Chancellor insisted: “Our democracy also thrives on finding its limit there wherever hatred and violence are considered a legitimate means of pursuing our own interests.” As reported by the DW agency.
What is the Zapfenstreich ceremony?
Angela Merkel Angela Merkel asks to defend democracy during her farewell
It is worth mentioning that the ceremony, known as Zapfenstreich, is the highest honor in charge of the armed forces and is reserved above all for federal presidents, foreign ministers and defense ministers.
Recently, there was a similar act in front of the Reichstag building to end the Bundeswehr mission in Afghanistan. Participants included Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and future Federal Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz (SPD).
In her speech before the ceremony, Merkel wished him and his government “all the best and a lucky hand and good luck.” The chancellor emphasized: “The 16 years as Federal Chancellor were filled with often very challenging events.”
Angela Merkel spoke of the financial crisis
Angela Merkel asks to defend democracy during her farewell
Merkel recalled, among other issues, the financial and economic crisis of 2008 and the refugee crisis of 2015. These made it clear how necessary international cooperation is, Merkel said.
“International institutions and multilateral instruments are essential to face the great challenges of our time: climate change, digitization, refugees and migration.”
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