SPD top candidate calls for courageous civil society - rally in Leipzig

The SPD's lead candidate for the European elections, Katarina Barley, has called for a "courageous and vigilant civil society". It is important for everyone to raise their voice and stand up for democracy, the rule of law and peace, she said on Saturday at a large rally on Burgplatz in Leipzig. People would literally be "in trouble" if right-wing extremists came to power.

The European Union (EU) has been a social union from the very beginning and still is today. The EU brings security and prosperity. To achieve this, however, the member states must work more closely together "if we want to hold our own against the USA and China".

Following this, Chancellor Scholz emphasized on stage in front of several hundred people that peace and security in Europe were under threat as they had not been for a long time. The SPD politician said that the war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine should therefore not escalate into a war between Russia and NATO.

During his speech in Leipzig, Scholz was interrupted by a handful of people shouting pro-Palestinian slogans. The Chancellor shouted at them in no uncertain terms that "Israel has the right to fight the terrorist organization Hamas." Hamas should accept the offer of a ceasefire, he said. Only this could guarantee peace and security.