75 years of the Basic Law

Article 1 of our Basic Law ( Grundgesetz) is as relevant today as it was in 1949, when the Parliamentary Council ( Parlamentarischer Rat) established our constitution. 75 years later, we have a lot to thank the post-war generations for and have to take responsibility ourselves.

Today, our then still young democracy is stronger, but also more endangered than it has been in the last 75 years. Every day, we take for granted the rights that guarantee us many freedoms as citizens. And last but not least, peace in Europe is our greatest achievement.

I was born in 1966 and - compared to my parents and grandparents - I have personally benefited enormously from our liberal democracy, peace in Europe and personal development opportunities. How often did I hear at home ‘You should be better off’. But I also remember the intense social debates in the 1970s and 1980s. The post-war generation wanted this new beginning and ultimately found a social consensus in the Basic Law that made these developments possible in the first place.

For my generation and future generations, this legacy means defending our democracy and peace against attacks from within and without. Each and every one of us should stand up for our democracy to the best of our ability. A central lesson of our own history is that it depends on each and every one of us!