CSU
Söder and Weber: European elections are fateful elections for the continent
“CSU will defend what the founding fathers would have built”: Manfred Weber (l.) and Markus Söder. photo
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
CSU leader Söder and EPP parliamentary group leader Weber emphasize the historical significance of the upcoming European elections. The election is crucial for protecting Europe from populism and nationalism.
“The European elections are, on the one hand, a fateful election for the entire continent, but also a test election for Germany,” said Söder before a meeting of CSU delegates in Nuremberg.
Söder calls for a clear demarcation from populists
The challenge is “that we have to protect Europe from a Europe of populists. That will be the big task in this election,” said Söder. “That means not just saying what populists are trying to do now and repeating to others,” he explained and emphasized: “We have seen in Holland how dangerous it can be if you tear down the firewall. I am firmly convinced who If you tear down a fire wall, you end up burning yourself on it.”
That’s why we have to clearly differentiate ourselves from populists, from the AfD, and make a commitment “to a Europe of protection: protection of borders, protection of social standards, protection of the population in Europe, especially against the turmoil and insecurities of the world.” There needs to be a Europe “also for the common people, not just for the European elites”. The CSU wants to emphasize this in particular.
CSU chooses Weber as its top candidate in Europe with 96 percent
Weber, who is chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP) and EPP group leader in the European Parliament, also spoke of a “fateful election”. The question of whether Europe can be held together in the face of the rise of nationalism must be on everyone’s mind. And the CSU will defend what the founding fathers have built: When the AfD says that this Europe must die, then he is saying: This Europe will be defended, strengthened and led into the future “because it stands for peace and prosperity.”
Weber leads the CSU as the top candidate in the European elections. At a delegate meeting in Nuremberg, the CSU voted Weber first on the CSU list for the election in June next year with 96 percent. He received 240 out of 250 votes cast, ten delegates voted no.
“I would like us as the CSU to say against this with a loud voice: We will take from you nationalists our Europe, which is certainly not perfect, but our Europe, which is the most beautiful we have ever had in the history of this continent, the best we’ve ever had in the history of the continent, we won’t let you neo-Nazis destroy it,” said Weber.
Weber also distanced himself from what he described as left-wing and green ideologues. A “centre politics” is needed. He described migration policy and the lasting security of peace and prosperity as the central challenges for Europe. What is needed is a strong and united Europe.