The resumption of contacts with Russia, required by social-democrats in Germany. APPROVED INTERNATED BEFORE SPD Congress
Norbert Walter-Borjans, one of the left wing leaders of SPD Photo: Thomas Banneyer / DPA / Profimedia
A group of politicians from the German Social-Democratic Party (SPD), a member formation of the ruling coalition led by the center-right chancellor Friedrich Merz, criticized in a manifesto the strategy of military confrontation with Russia and the increase of the arming expenses, a position that deviates from the official line of the party shortly before the formation will be a long time. Social-democrats, the EFE agency, taken over by Agerpres, reports on Wednesday.
“We are convinced that the concept of common security is the only way responsible for avoiding a war caused by confrontation and re -armament, beyond the ideological differences and conflict interests,” it is shown in the manifesto signed by about 100 members of the left wing of the SPD.
They believe that the principles that have ensured peace during the Cold War are currently undermined not only by Russia, but also by the West. “Return to a policy of pure discouragement, with re-armament and without control of the armaments, will not make Europe safer. In their place we have to work on a peace policy again for the purpose of common security,” the document signals, among which are the head of the social-democratic parliamentary group until February, Rolf Mitzich, and a former leader of Norbert.
The members of this group of German social-democratic politicians have also demanded measures to prevent escalation, gradually restoring confidence, including prudent resumption of diplomatic contacts with Russia as soon as an armistice in the Ukraine war is reached.
They also consider the increase of defense budgets to 5% of the GDP required by NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, and US President Donald Trump, as well as the stationary of American medium -range missiles in Germany.
One of the signatories, the deputy Ralf Stegner, was this month the target of harsh criticisms after the public radio station ARD reported that he and other German social-democratic politicians met with Russia emissaries in the capital of Azera Baku on April 14.
The manifesto of this group of social-democratic politicians appears before the SPD Congress that will take place on June 27-29 in Berlin, where, among others, the Coiders Saskia Esken and Lars Klingbeil, the current Minister of Finance.
In a general policy speech held two weeks ago in front of the Bundestag, the new German-right-stranger Chancellor Friedrich Merz promised that his government “will provide all the financial means that the armed forces need to become the most powerful in Europe.” “We must be able to defend ourselves in order not to have to do it,” as the lesson given by the Russian war in Ukraine is that “the force discourages the aggressors, while the vulnerability, on the contrary, invites aggression,” he motivated.
After the previous parliament has relaxed at the end of the mandate the constitutional amendment that limited the contracting of new debts up to no more than 0.35% of GDP, Germany will now have an additional margin to support the increase of the military expenses promised by the new Chancellor.
