German Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 20/31, pp.
2725-2726.
Frau President. Right honorable ladies and gentlemen. Dear countrymen.
It has been over two months now since Russia attacked the
Ukraine. We again have war in Europe. At the beginning, all of us here in this
sovereign house hoped the conflict quickly ended, and that the population in
the Ukraine can again live in peace. Unfortunately, it is otherwise. The AfD
delegation remembers all the war dead and mourns with their bereaved.
The new war in Europe places before us a difficult situation
and decision. Suddenly, old wounds are opened up and overcome thought patterns are
employed. Yet certainly for a peaceful living together, we need to remove the
ideological blinkers and we ourselves discuss in our own country. I find it to
be inexcusable that Chancellor Olaf Scholz today is not present on so important
a day. For long he stood by his word that weapons are no solution. Today the
coalition and the Union bring in common a motion which will prolong the Ukraine
war and could make us a warring party to a nuclear war.
Valued colleagues, we are contending over the future of
Germany. It is about war and peace and Mitteleuropa,
and Herr Scholz travels to the cherry blossoms in Japan. And, no: Even travel
plans can be changed. Remember: The Chancellor let Foreign Minister Baerbock
return early to Berlin so as to vote on the vaccination mandate. Therein is
shown where lie the priorities of this Chancellor.
All who always speak of having learned from history are
today the first who want to actively draw us into a war. Precisely that is
signified by this motion put forward today. It reads like a statement of
application to a war.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP): Mein Gott!
Its character recalls the darkest of times.
I need once more clearly say: We are not at war with Russia
or any other country and the great majority of the German population do not
want to participate in this war.
On that account, it must be asked: What purpose do you
pursue? The Ukraine does not belong to NATO, and not the EU, and is just so a sovereign
state in Europe as is Russia. It is in the German interest, and in the future
for both states, to maintain a good relation, political, economic and cultural.
Surely with the Federal government’s decision to deliver
Gepard panzers to the Ukraine was Germany’s position decisively weakened, since
we can no longer appear as a neutral mediator. We can actually only hope that
this proceeding has not conclusively blocked the diplomatic path. You intervene
with weapons deliveries in a foreign war and call that a “values-guided foreign
policy”. Have you actually asked yourselves what effect this decision has on
our partners China and India? We need an interest-guided foreign policy for
Germany and Europe.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP): We need values!
The Bundestag delegation of the Alternative für Deutschland
quite definitely speaks out against the delivery of weapons to the Ukraine.
Weapons have never shortened a war and are not humanitarian aid.
Johannes Vogel (FDP): Ahistoric! Ahistorical [****].
We need to continue our humanitarian aid. By that I mean the
support of war refugees as well as the assistance for those locally suffering
from the emergency; for example, the delivery of medical assistance, of
medicines, as well as the preparation of clean water and energy.
Many here in the plenary hall, and certainly also in the
media, need to finally disarm rhetorically. The peace rhetoric needs to step
into the foreground, not the war rhetoric.
Valued colleagues, please come to reason. Allow your
consciences to decide and vote against the delivery of weapons to the Ukraine! The
Alternative für Deutschland
Vice-president Katrin Göring-Eckardt: Please come to a conclusion.
is the only delegation in the German Bundestag that stands
for peace on the continent of Europe.
Many thanks.
Joe
Weingarten (SPD): What idiocy!
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP): To Moscow with love!
[trans: tem]
