Letter to the Editor

Referenda in Germany

Article 20, paragraph 2 of the German Constitution states: 'All state authority emanates from the people. It is exercised by the people through elections and voting and by specific organs of the legislature, the executive power, and the judiciary.' (see: www.uni-wuerzburg.de/law) In connection with the terrorist attacks in the USA everybody is talking about the 'defence' of democracy. Is there still such a thing as democracy in Germany? Isn't it in reality party dictatorship? Can one speak of democracy when a people can vote once in four years for its representatives and parties, and who will then make decisions in its name? Take a look at Switzerland. There one can see how real, direct democracy works. Is it not in all probability the case that our so-called representatives do not want us to make political decisions-for instance decisions concerning the introduction of the Euro, dual nationality, EU eastern expansion?

Perhaps some of those decisions would have turned out differently if the people had made them, but our opinions seem to be of no interest. In a time where not even the decisions of the electorate are accepted (Austria, Ireland), the parties' exclusive right to represent us comes as no surprise. What makes us especially angry is that we accept all this. We have just become too lazy with our attitude that those in power will fix it for us, and if they don't, we will again have enough discussion topics for an entertaining evening with the regulars. As long as we are (still) fine, nobody feels the need to do something. But, be careful, because those who sleep in a democracy will wake up in a dictatorship. Whether right-wing or left-wing is unimportant. Our citizens' group invites all citizens interested in these and other political topics to actively participate in political life in the future.