Only this week – then the summer break is coming up for Markus Lanz. In his penultimate show before the start of the holiday season, the moderator welcomed a guest on Wednesday evening whose word is important enough to avoid other participants in the discussion: Lanz had the 70-minute talk alone with the former Federal President Joachim Gauck. That meant the absence of otherwise often heated discussions in the ZDF studio and instead showed a reflected politician with meaningful messages.
The 82-year-old had a clear opinion on the signers of open letters that wanted to persuade Ukraine to enter into a ceasefire in the war against Russia. “Pacifism is honourable, but it does not lead to good. He only cements the dominance of the bad guys, the inhumans and the criminals,” Gauck explained. Host Lanz wanted to know whether he, as a former pastor, would take up arms himself. Gauck replied: “I would wish not to have to do it, but in such a case I would do it.” One should “not capitulate to the unscrupulous”.
In Germany, a rethink is needed. According to Gauck, the country “must learn again as a society that freedom must be defended”. Politically, the change of course is already noticeable in the form of higher defense spending. The reason for this is that “authoritarian powers and dictatorships” would put the usual “value- and rule-based order” including international law to the test – such as Russia and China. There is an “organized impotence of the many and a superiority of the few”, Gauck described.
Even the experienced politician Joachim Gauck was surprised that Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin was “dumb enough” to start a war. The war of aggression represents a turning point. Before that, Germany had been in a “period of wishful thinking” with regard to Russia, Joachim Gauck attested.
Despite the impending severe winter, the ex-Federal President exuded confidence: “You can survive a gap in wealth. In this country there are people who know what real poverty is, who have experienced rubble. We can also clench our teeth at times, in a phase when perhaps the most beautiful dreams cannot be realized or you only go on vacation once instead of twice a year.” There is also a moral question, because, according to Gauck: “Who do we want be? The ones with dull perception and cold heart? Or those who stand in solidarity with a victim who was ambushed?”
Joachim Gauck represented a differentiated opinion on the actions of the federal government. A lot has been done in recent months, but: “If I put myself in the shoes of the victims of bloody aggression and if I see the small amount of our active help, then that’s not enough for me.” It has to something else to happen, demanded Gauck.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has often been scolded recently, received backing. His speech in the Bundestag, in which the SPD man conjured up a turning point, Gauck “filled with pride”. The 82-year-old added: “I will not forget that he had this strength.” He was also surprised by the rethinking of the population: “The fact that Germany accepts that we have to defend ourselves is new.” It can be observed among young people that “running away quickly is an unfashionable attitude”. “I hope it stays that way,” said Gauck.
A large forest fire broke out on the Greek island of Samos on Wednesday afternoon. A helicopter crashed into the sea while fighting the fire. Two people die and another is missing. The pilot survived but is in critical condition.
In Berlin, a man was stabbed in a gym at night. He was badly injured. The victim is believed to be a member of a well-known extended family clan.
Eight German vacationers are still in detention on Mallorca. The members of the “Stramm am Tisch” bowling club are accused of starting a fire in a bar at the end of May. Now a newly emerged WhatsApp photo is supposed to prove the innocence of the cone brothers.
The original of this post “As a former pastor take up arms yourself? “In such a case I would do it”” comes from Teleschau.
