Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht warns of 'creeping militarization'

The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) warns of a "creeping militarization" of society. The Saxon party leader Sabine Zimmermann accused the federal government on Tuesday of spreading general fear among the population and making war rhetoric socially acceptable again. "We in Saxony in particular are consistently opposing the fact that our country is gradually becoming more militaristic in people's minds," Zimmermann told the German Press Agency in Dresden. The current debate shows "how necessary a new party is in the peace-seeking middle of society".

The background to Zimmermann's comments are statements by Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP). She had seen schools as having a responsibility to prepare young people for war in view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine - for example in the form of civil defense exercises. She also called on schools to develop a "relaxed relationship with the Bundeswehr".

Minister of Education Christian Piwarz (CDU) categorically rejects the proposal for civil defense exercises in schools. "Children and young people are already confronted with the crises and conflicts of our time in schools, so there is no need to call for military training 2.0," he said on Monday when asked.

The Free Voters in Saxony expressed their "horror" at Stark-Watzinger's proposal. "There is no need for military exercises or politicized lessons on the current conflict in Ukraine. Then the American war of aggression against Iraq, which violates international law and is still the cause of refugee flows today, should also be addressed," emphasized FW state leader Thomas Weidinger. Schools should not be a place where militaristic tendencies are promoted, especially not in times of international tensions.