Sunday 1 April 2018

Michel Friedman on Horst Seehofer


CSU, the Bavarian sister-party of Germany’s CDU, has always been more right-wing than its bigger sister. 39% of Bavarian voters, voted CSU in 2017, down from 49% in 2013, having hovered in the mid 50%, peaking at 60% in the 1960s-70s-80s. The practice of pushing hatred of the other to acquire votes is not new and it almost invariably works. CSU’s  senior politician Horst Seehofer, for whom a powerful Homeland ministry is being established in Angela Merkel’s new coalition government, is good at just this.

Seehofer’s very public and loud statement that Islam “does not belong to Germany”, has won condemnation from many directions, including that of his senior partner, Angela Merkel.

A few days ago, Michel Friedman, a German Jewish lawyer and publicist, opined that in making a judgement whether a religion belongs or does not belong to the country, Seehofer has infringed on the boundaries of his office.

Friedman severely reprimands Seehofer in his well-argued article, which I very much recommend to my English reading friends – here, and to my German reading friends – here.

3 comments:

  1. Michel Friedman bringt die Sache auf den Punkt. Danke, dass Du den Artikel weitergeleitet hast!

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  2. Dear David

    As much as I do agree with you and Friedman on the issue of "Islam and Germany" opposing Seehofer´s point of view, as little can I see the abuse by Bild. I´m hopeful for an opportunity to discuss with you soon.

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  3. Thank you for this important and interesting discussion! Friedman’s article is also very helpful indeed.

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