Alexander Gauland
Brexit
German Bundestag, March 21, 2019,
Plenarprotokoll 19/89, pp. 10484-10485
[Alexander Gauland is a national
chairman of the Alternative für Deutschland as well as a chairman of the AfD
delegation in the German Bundestag. He here responds to the German government’s
latest statement concerning Brexit.]
Herr President. Ladies and gentlemen.
Each change in the Brexit drama need not be
taken as a demonstration of London’s centuries-old statecraft to feel, for all
that, high respect for a nation wrestling with a fundamental issue. England was
always equally in and out, half European, half Indian, equally European power
and world power. Face to face with de Gaulle, what was Churchill’s inimitably
literary expression? When I must decide between you and America, between you
and the high seas, I decide always for the high seas. And it would truly be an ironic twist should a rule of Parliament going back to 1604 hinder
a third and perhaps this time successful vote on the deal.
May I remind this house thereof that the
Brexit decision was the result of a democratic process? The majority of the
British had concluded to leave the EU. Yes, that was a bare majority; yet this
arrangement is today normal and historically significant decisions are often
brought about by bare majorities. It was a democratic decision and thus
something which until now seldom occurred in the EU. What we are presently
experiencing is the attempt to perhaps yet render the undesired results of a
democratic decision null and void.
Ladies and gentlemen, mockery is hardly fitting
when one of our oldest and worthiest allies is writhing in political fits. It
is plainly not the faulty information of the Brexit advocates which has led to
this situation; it is the two souls in the breast of every Englishman which has
brought about this dilemma. It would therefore be the duty of the federal
government not to stand by and let the Shakespearean drama run its course, but
bravely engage, Frau Chancellor –
Carsten
Schneider (SPD-Erfurt): In England?
- to again untie the package or at least
provide additional clarification. It cannot be difficult to enable the British
to unilaterally get out of the backstop and it is, by God, no lèse majesté for
the 27 to suspend freedom of settlement during a brief transition period.
“Cherry-picking” is therefore the wrong word
in regards a drama that determines the future of our continent and besides will
decide whether Great Britain, which for years defended us in Berlin, will
remain united in friendship with us in the future. Since the wounds on the
souls of a people are as difficult to heal as material damage. We Germans can
certainly sing a song of that.
Rule-based multilateralism, again put forward
by you, Frau Chancellor, is a fine-sounding abstraction –
Annalena
Baerbock (Bündnis90/Grünen): That is the lesson of our history!
- which induces spiritual effort from no one
and, as represented by Herr Barnier, frightens and divides rather that brings
together. An appeal by the Chancellor to the negotiators to take a small step
toward one another could perhaps work wonders.
Certainly one must therefore abstain from the
thought which in Brussels is always borne in mind: The British are to be
punished for wanting to go a way which in many capitals of the continent is
held to be politically incorrect –
Barbara
Hendricks (SPD): That corresponds with nothing!
Christian
Petry (SPD): Dumb stuff!
Franziska
Brantner (Bündnis90/Grünen): That was never at all the case!
Annalena
Baerbock (Bündnis90/Grünen): Such baloney!
- and never be allowed to manage in a free way
which could provoke imitation.
Yet the strength of the European Union must
be herein proven: That no one is held against his will. It is un-sovereign and
a sign of lack of confidence of one’s own appeal to conduct oneself during a
separation as the EU presently does in regards the British. According to its
ardent supporters, the European Union is no compulsory union but a voluntary
pact which each people, each state at any time can dissolve when they hold it
to be necessary.
Martin
Schulz (SPD): Yes, then they should do it!
It is time that the European governments prove
that and give Great Britain a fair and intelligent chance, Frau Merkel. I
appeal to you, make a start of it!
The impression is not to be given that the
EU, other than for the sake of peace in Ireland, will hinder Great Britain from
becoming a de-regulated, low wage, low tax competitor of the EU. Their quid pro
quo: Should Great Britain want continued full access to the EU market, then
must it continue to adhere to EU standards of taxation, employment, competition
and environment - thus, practically a membership
without speaking rights. Dainty souls would call that extortion.
(Laughter
from member Martin Schulz (SPD)).
When we open up the newspapers, we always
read of the economic damage that will arise for the British as a result of
Brexit. We however read nothing of the damage to the EU. Since we also lose,
ladies and gentlemen: Germany foremost.
Let us give the British some more time but
not the feeling that they must break out of prison. For that, there must be a
return to reason, free from the emotional anxieties which lead to a dirty
divorce. I can only once more reiterate, Frau Merkel: Make a start of it! Since
that is policy in the German interest.
I am grateful.
[Translated by Todd Martin]
