Leif-Erik
Holm
Memorial,
June 17, 1953
German
Bundestag, June 17, 2020, Plenarprotokoll 19/165, p. 20557
[Leif-Erik Holm is an Alternative für
Deutschland Bundestag member from the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
where he is also the AfD state chairman. He is a radio moderator and here
participates in the Bundestag’s commemoration of the rising against communist
rule in East Germany in 1953.]
Right
honorable citizens. Herr President. Ladies and gentlemen.
June
17, 1953, is and remains as important day in our history because it shows us
citizens that we can influence the course of things. And if the rising was then
bloodily put down, it was nevertheless the foundation stone for the later
peaceful revolution. We can only bow before the brave ones of that time.
Yet
what do we learn from this day? June 17 shows that socialism always proceeds
along with the rule of force. It functions only with coercion because the
people have no desire to let themselves be re-educated by a politburo but want
their own lives. Socialism has never worked and never will work.
Yet
can we be sure that it will not be attempted again? No, we cannot. The old
parties’ cuddling with the re-named SED must horrify anyone who values freedom.
The Union today may even celebrate fraternization with the SED with the motto “Once
a block party, always a block party”. It cannot be otherwise explained how you,
dear colleagues of the CDU, have assisted into the highest judicial office as
constitutional judge a concrete communist in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Let
alone that Frau Borchardt has not the least qualification for the judicial
office, she is a co-founder of the Anti-Capitalist Left which has been
classified as left-wing extremist and which adheres to a revolutionary communist
world-view. Frau Borchardt has never distanced herself from that. Just the
opposite: To this day, she relativizes the many deaths at the Wall. During a
memorial minute for the victims in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern legislature, she ostentatiously
remained seated. The victims cannot be much worse mocked.
And
what is most perfidious: If the newspaper reports are right, this woman as a
mayor in the DDR extorted refugees shortly before their departure. How can such
a woman be elected as a constitutional judge? I certainly expect nothing other
from all the left-wing parties. But that the CDU assisted into office such a
person is truly remarkable. To that, I can only say: He who leaves the defense
of the constitution to a judge who obviously has problems with the constitution,
makes the goat the gardener and he himself thereby becomes a hazard for
democracy.
Besides,
this election transpired in the home CDU association of the chancellor. Where
properly is the call from Frau Merkel that it must be rescinded? Then she was
quick on the draw. This time we hear nothing, and that is indicative of the CDU’s
situation. This party busies itself as the stirrup holder for the extreme left.
The worst is, among you there is no remonstrance against that. That shows the
whole, small potatoes limit of your gang.
The
Association of the Victims of the Communist Rule of Force has found the right
word for this situation in the CDU: Shame. The citizens who in 1953 and 1989
went out into the street to oppose the communist regime will not forget this
total capitulation to the children of the SED. The CDU has thereby betrayed the
inheritance of the reunification and the inheritance of the brave men of June
17.
[Translated by Todd Martin]
