March 8, 2024 (EIRNS)—The German government’s Orwellian draft bill for promoting “democracy” (Demokratiefördergesetz) has come under heavy criticism—from the opposition, from legal experts and even by the Free Democratic Party government partner. The bill aims to increase funds for NGOs involved in activities to promote general initiatives in schools and neighborhoods against racism, discrimination, etc.
The liberal conservative magazine Tichys Einblick wrote: “When you read the government’s justification for the draft ‘Democracy Promotion Act', you are reminded of East Germany, which sensed its opponents everywhere and constantly denounced anti-socialist activities. According to the government, society is in great danger and is constantly under attack, especially from the right. ‘In recent years, right-wing extremist criminal acts and acts of violence in particular have continued to increase. In addition, racism, anti-Semitism, antiziganism, hostility towards Islam and Muslims, queerophobia, misogyny, sexism, hostility towards the disabled and extremisms such as right-wing extremism, Islamist extremism, left-wing extremism as well as online hate, disinformation and science denial and the delegitimization of the state, which is directed against the Basic Law, demonstrate the multitude of anti-democratic and anti-human phenomena.”
“Anyone who publicly expresses critical thoughts on the state and government, politics and society in the future is increasingly treading on thin ice,” is the conclusion of Tichys Einblick.
On Feb. 13, the government announced a new set of 13 measures to be added to the bill, which was approved by the Bundestag last year and needs a second vote to become effective. The content of those new measures is not known, but domestic security service head Thomas Haldenwang said that more attention will be dedicated to violence-prone language, hinting at a possible persecution of free speech.
