Cardinal Marx warns: Right-wing populism is a danger to our freedom!

Cardinal Marx warns: Right-wing populism is a danger to our freedom!

The current discussions about the dangers of right-wing populism are gaining momentum, and in this climate the voice of Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the Archbishop of Munich, is being raised. In an interview, he criticized the social diagnosis propagated by these forces and clearly marked them as enemies of democracy. Marx emphasizes how essential it is to focus on freedom and counters the right-wing populists' accusation that not everything is allowed to be said in Germany with a clear answer: "That is absurd." This point of view is clearly reflected in the themes of his recent publications and communicative actions.

The topic is not only addressed by Cardinal Marx, but also by the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, which published the “Democracy Bible” on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the Basic Law. Under the title “Being a Christian means being political,” the primer creates a framework in which the socio-political tasks of believers are discussed. It offers suggestions and argumentative aids against anti-democratic slogans and is therefore a valuable instrument in dealing with populist trends. This primer was presented at the Catholic Convention in Erfurt and met with great interest.

A powerful symbol for democracy

The “Democracy Bible” addresses, among other things, migration and its influence on social polarization. Diocesan Council Chairman Armin Schalk calls for the church to actively get involved in discussions about democracy. He emphasizes that each individual has a responsibility to strengthen democracy. This is particularly important as right-wing populist and extremist movements are gaining strong support in many countries, such as Hungary and Italy, and are sometimes even involved in governments.

The warnings about populist trends are not limited to Marx and Schalk. Hans-Joachim Heßler, President of the Bavarian Constitutional Court, also emphasizes the importance of the Basic Law's reference to God and warns of the dangers that populist and extremist ideologies pose to democracy. The presentation of the guide to Heßler and other political representatives shows that the issue is being taken seriously and that there is a broad consensus about the need for vigilance.

The role of freedom of expression

Cardinal Marx also addresses freedom of expression in his reflections. For him, this freedom means not having to deal with untruths or slander. He links the concept of freedom with human dignity and the idea that man is the image of God. In his books he discusses in detail the importance of being able to think freely without falling into a trap of manipulation. His central message: Freedom that is suppressed endangers the dignity of every human being.

In the current discussion about right-wing populism it is also clear that it is often being normalized. The preservation of democratic values ​​must be the top priority in these times of simplified presentation of complex issues and widespread skepticism towards institutions. A look at the numerous elections worldwide shows that right-wing populist parties like the AfD in Germany maintain a stable electorate and it is even predicted that very good results are possible for them in the upcoming state elections in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia.

The combination of Marx's concerned call for vigilance and the archdiocese's efforts shows clearly that confronting the populist forces in society is essential for democracy. Everyone's commitment is required so as not to lose sight of the canon of values ​​of freedom and human dignity.