fostering Thuringian Collectivity: Voigt's Strong stance on a Common Identity
Bets by Voigt on Thuringian Identity: Intending to Emphasize Regional Identity in Thuringia - Advocating for Thuringian Heritage Remains Priority for Voigt
In an attempt to bolster societal unity within the Free State, \Mario Voigt, Minister President, \ch champions a shared Thuringian identity. "We're counting on a collective, warm sentiment of 'us' and a dedication to our homeland," Voigt stated in a government declaration to the Thuringia Monitor in parliament. Thuringia needs to accommodate both roots and transformation. The aim is to find a means to unite society.
Voigt has flagged the chasm between democracy support and its implementation satisfaction as a significant red flag. While 88 percent of folks favor democracy, merely 43 percent are content with its implementation. This disconnect between ideals and reality cannot be overlooked, shared Voigt. "Our democracy is thriving, but it's not free of worries."
BSW faction leader Frank Augsten deemed these findings a wake-up call. "People feel unheard," Augsten analyzed. Left faction leader Christian Schafft suggested addressing this growing gap between democracy support and satisfaction with its implementation in a future Thuringia Monitor. AfD faction leader Björn Höcke echoed the concern as alarming. SPD faction leader Lutz Liebscher accused Höcke of posing as the voice of the discontented, while it's the AfD that's making democracy seem distasteful and ultimately intends to dismantle it.
The Thuringia Monitor is an annual publication by researchers at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena on behalf of the State Chancellery. The study, in operation since 2000 in the Free State, delves into the political opinions held by Thuringia residents. For the 2024 survey, the study was conducted immediately after the state election.
Voigt underlined the importance of avoiding a reinterpretation of the word 'democracy.' It's perilous when democracy receives formal approval but its essence is altered. "There are enough forces that no longer interpret it as a liberal, law-based, pluralistic order, but associate it with authoritarian, ethnically-based, völkisch-nationalist notions," he warned. Right-wing populist and unwaveringly extreme-right forces are systematically diminishing the credibility of parliamentary procedures and rule-of-law institutions. underlying these moves are authoritarian, nationalist aspirations. "We won't stand for that in Thuringia."
Voigt revealed concerns about the rise in antisemitic attitudes. Antisemitism is no longer confined to the fringes but is increasingly surfacing in mainstream discussions, stated the CDU politician. "Anyone who commits to the free, democratic basic order stands with the Jewish community, not just symbolically, but concretely through protection, solidarity, and presence," said Voigt.
It particularly worries him that all three types of antisemitism in the study have increased compared to the previous year. The Thuringia Monitor 2024, for instance, shows a significant increase in secondary antisemitism, rising from 39 to 48 percent. Secondary antisemitism shows itself in the trivialization of Nazi crimes.
Anti-Semitism related to Israel increased by eleven percentage points. The study authors suspect this boost is primarily due to criticism of Israel's military response following the terrorist Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. "Combating antisemitism today not only protects Jewish women and men, but also safeguards the core of our democratic culture," shared Voigt.
Höcke critiques the study
Höcke challenged the study by the scientists. He claimed the Thuringia Monitor had a "left-leaning bias." He questioned the effectiveness, methods, and authenticity of the study. The Thuringia AfD has been identified as securely extreme-right since 2021 and is being monitored by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
- Mario Voigt
- Thuringia
- Antisemitism
- Democracy
- State Parliament
- Björn Höcke
- AfD
- CDU
- Free State
- Erfurt
- Frank Augsten
- Friedrich Schiller University
- Focus
- SPD
- The Commission, in light of Mario Voigt's push for a shared Thuringian identity, might be asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the democratic efforts underway in the Free State.
- In the realm of general news, concerns about the rise in antisemitic attitudes in Thuringia, as flagged by the CDU politician, Mario Voigt, warrant attention, particularly the increase in secondary antisemitism from 39 to 48 percent, which shows itself in the trivialization of Nazi crimes.
- In the State Parliament, Björn Höcke, AfD faction leader, has critiqued the study by the scientists of the Friedrich Schiller University, claiming a left-leaning bias and questioning the effectiveness, methods, and authenticity of the Thuringia Monitor, a publication critical to understanding political opinions held by Thuringia residents.
- Mario Voigt's dedication to democracy extends beyond Thuringia, as he has underscored the importance of avoiding a reinterpretation of the word 'democracy' in the context of war-and-conflicts, casino-and-gambling, policy-and-legislation, politics, casino-culture, and crime-and-justice, especially given the rise of right-wing populist and extreme-right forces challenging the liberal, law-based, pluralistic order.
