Speeches

Once again, representatives of nearly 200 parties to the UNFCCC Framework Agreement on Climate Change will meet to talk about "saving the planet". Once again, the "green transition" is promoted, which in plain language is a large-scale de-industrialisation, job reduction and money destruction programme for the EU Member States in the name of so-called climate protection. Once again, tens of thousands of delegates, mostly flying in by plane, will try to confirm each other in their climate and world rescue ideology. Even though the days for Fridays for Future have gotten tougher with Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer and other proclaimers of the apocalypse, as citizens are now clearly feeling the consequences of climate action, climate ideology is still firmly anchored in the EU institutions. This is shown by this resolution, which is supported by a total of five political groups, which include all German parties represented in the Bundestag with the exception of the AfD. This motion for a resolution must be rejected, because it is time to restore effective and evidence-based environmental protection in line with economic needs in order to create prosperity, economic growth and jobs in Germany and the EU, instead of making a large industrial museum based on model-based doomsday scenarios with the EU demolition ball from Europe and sustainably damaging the competitiveness of our economy and the personal freedoms of citizens with planned economic measures that patronise people.

Madam President, De-industrialisation, ladies and gentlemen, of which we are talking, is obscured, because it is about fates – in Ludwigshafen, in Zwickau, in Heidenau, in the Ruhr area –, closed factory gates and rising unemployment. Unfortunately, this is also the responsibility of the German government and governments, but also of the European level: political micromanagement, regulations and gangs of entrepreneurs down to the smallest detail, because it was believed that it could be better from the point of view of bureaucracy and parliaments than in the companies themselves. But Europe and Germany have all the prerequisites to be successful. We all have talents, and we have the courage of our entrepreneurs who, despite all the problems and obstacles, continue to courageously hold on to their businesses and try their best. We also have the conditions to close the investment gap in Germany and throughout Europe, but to do so we must finally free this continent from bureaucracy and green ideology. Because in order to close the investment gap, we do not have to set up large credit programmes; We must finally make this location more attractive again. This is what we do when we finally revisit new forms of energy, such as nuclear power, when we stop encroaching on our companies. Green Deal. Let's get rid of this continent!

Madam President, In a world that is reorganised geopolitically on a daily basis, the EU would have to do everything it could to appear united to the outside world. But it is the European Union itself that repeatedly torpedoes this internal cohesion: Violence, centralism, paternity of the Member States. Instead of focusing on the essentials – the internal market, the protection of the external borders, the organisation of defence cooperation, which has been criminally neglected over the past 15 years – Brussels is entangled in ideological projects, bypassing the will of the peoples, most recently in Bulgaria. We at the AfD have been demanding for a decade: We must become independent of the United States of America. We must become sovereign, we must take our security policy into our own hands. We were insulted by the so-called conservatives as anti-Americans and as militarists. Today, this dependence to which you have led us is being exploited by the United States of America. And then stand here and claim that you are the defenders of Europe's freedom and sovereignty. This contradicts the experience of history. Europe needs to grow up. Europe must protect its freedom and independence. But that can only happen if we have more respect for the nations here in Europe. But anyone who continues to pursue pro-migration policy, pro-gender policy, pro-climate policy in these times, makes politics at the expense of the European idea. We stand for another way.

Mr President! For ten years we as the AfD have been insulted by you, as militarists and as anti-Americans, because we demanded that we become independent from the United States in terms of security policy, because we demanded that we invest in strategic autonomy, because we wanted to invest in our capabilities and skills in security policy. Instead, they have denied reality. Barack Obama already said in 2011 that the US would develop into a Pacific power and that it would no longer tie up additional forces in Europe. They have been wasting security policy on this continent for 15 years. They have brought us into this dependence and into the dead end. That's why you're also the wrong one to get us out of there, because you're now falling to the next extreme. From years of subservience to the U.S., even decades at the CDU, you now fall into the extreme of insulting an entire government, even though there continues to be a great dependency on the U.S. for security. Numerous terrorist attacks, most recently in Lower Bavaria, could only be prevented because the Americans provided us with intelligence. You risk the safety of Germans with your anti-American course. We want real cooperation without subservience and without tenderness. We want real partnership, without anyone telling us to which countries we have to send our soldiers, but also without teachings and insults from other parts of the world.

Madam President, In this Parliament, there are increasingly majorities that are patriotic. So something is moving, albeit too slowly, because the world is changing rapidly. Technological upheaval, demographic shifts, geopolitical tensions – change everywhere, only Europe stands still because of the EU Commission. While China is moving away in artificial intelligence, India is becoming a global tech hub and the US is creating new growth centers, the EU Commission and mainstream parties are slowing us down. The reason is clear: Europe is still captivated by its left-wing ideology. It takes courage to use the new majorities. Handling supply chain law, eliminating sustainability rules and reporting, preventing chat control forever, enshrining cash and the right to cash across Europe, reducing taxes – more freedom for businesses and citizens, more security for families and pensioners, affordable housing and affordable food. This is what the ESN stands for and this is what the AfD stands for.

Madam President, Once again, the European Council meets, and once again, the same topics are on the agenda, the same speeches, the same promises – and in the end, everything stays the same. As America and Asia invest, you're discussing ever-new policies and regulations. While there is trade, there is bureaucracy here. As a result, Europe is gradually losing its prosperity and competitiveness, even if you are constantly talking about competitiveness. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe does not lack ideas, but it lacks courageous politicians who do what is necessary: Removing the ban on incinerators, which Green Deal unwind. They are talking about future generations, but they are destroying the future of our industry. They are announcing innovations, but many of our talented researchers and developers are now leaving our continent. And while our citizens are paying ever higher prices, this European Union is losing people's trust because it is ignoring their concerns. But – and this is the good news – time is changing. In many countries, governments are finally taking responsibility again, combining patriotism with common sense. Czechia, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, hopefully soon Germany with the AfD in government – they all show: Patriotic forces can renew Europe. That's why I tell you: Europe does not need green ideologues, but a Europe of reason, a Europe that relies on performance, on science, entrepreneurship, on freedom, less taxes, less bureaucracy, no chat control, i.e. more trust in the people who carry our nation states and this Europe, instead of trust in ever new administration. We must free ourselves from the shackles of over-regulation, back to a Europe of sovereign nations, a Europe of innovation, work, freedom and progress. Because, ladies and gentlemen, the future of Europe is not decided in discussions by politicians, but in the workshops, in the laboratories and in the courtyards, where all of us are created wealth.

Mr President! Poverty is destroying lives. It destroys the lives of children and young people because they cannot fully develop their talents, abilities, characteristics in poverty. This makes it impossible for young people to become great craftsmen, technicians, doctors, entrepreneurs and so on, even though they have the potential to do so. This is deceiving these children and young people of their future. But it also hurts all of us, because this circumcision of being able to make the most of yourself reduces the growth of the entire economy. Poverty takes freedom: If single mothers and fathers are left alone in difficult social circumstances and no longer dare to go to the inner cities, outdoor pools and parks because of fear, then this is an attack on freedom. Poverty takes dignity: when seniors who have raised children and worked a whole life have to collect deposit bottles. That is why we need a change of direction in Europe, a change of direction for industrial jobs and against the Green Deal. Put an end to your sanctions policy!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen! What defines Europe should be the topic today. But it would have to be: What Europe once was. Europe was once the engine of progress – the continent of inventors, engineers, craftsmen and entrepreneurs. A continent where ideas were born and world markets conquered. Today, however, not a single European company is among the top 20 in the world. And that's no coincidence. It is the result of a policy that stifles entrepreneurship through over-regulation, replaces innovation with bureaucracy, and freedom with fear. Instead of shaping the future, it is managed with prohibitions. From the incinerator ban to the Green Deal, which destroys industry – take a look at industrial production – up to ever-new reporting obligations, which above all have one effect: That our best minds and companies are leaving. While the US and Asia are investing, Europe is discussing quotas. While trading there, it is regulated here. This does not create prosperity. Europe is losing its competitiveness. If we want to save Europe, we must liberate the forces of the European peoples – freedom for entrepreneurs, researchers and workers. It's not politics and bureaucracy that make things better. It will only be better if we trust the people of Europe again. Let's unleash their power through lower taxes, less bureaucracy, fewer bans, fewer regulations. We rely on the skills, the knowledge, the talent, the courage of our citizens, not on politicians. Back to a Europe of performance, courage and innovation, a Europe that wants progress, artificial intelligence, Bitcoin and quantum computers, a Europe that dares to be world leaders again, instead of looking anxiously to the future. That's why we say: Less centralism, more nation-state. Less fear, more freedom. No mass immigration, neither legal nor illegal mass immigration, instead deportations. Then Europe will be strong again. Then we live in a Europe of sovereign nations and a Europe of fatherlands.

Madam President, Europe was once a dream: a continent where families could build their own homes; a continent that was the engine of global progress; a Europe where women could live safely, poor people were protected by good social legislation and young people had the chance to build a good life out of what they had worked for themselves. But this dream has been destroyed by politicians like Angela Merkel and Ursula von der Leyen. As the global economy grows and new markets emerge, Europe falls behind. If you want to know why, you just have to do the speech of Ursula von der Leyen earlier. Not once did it mention the core of the market economy – freedom to conduct a business – but centrally planned billion-dollar programmes – bureaucracy from above. But prosperity comes from work, from innovation, from entrepreneurial courage, not from Ursula von der Leyen's five-year plans. In the field of migration policy, too, dreaming has seriously harmed Europe. Enrichment was promised. The reality: Knife attacks, terrorism, rape, drug gangs from Spain, Italy, Germany to Rotherham and Malmö. And in Brussels, where the EU is still preaching diversity, the Belgian government is seriously considering using the army to protect the capital from the violence of migrant gangs. What about Mrs. von der Leyen? She still speaks in well-sounding marketing phrases. She spoke of unity on our continent. But this will only happen if the persecution of the opposition finally stops on this continent: In Romania, elections are reversed; In France and Germany, candidates are excluded from elections. If you want unity, then we must return to democracy and freedom of expression. That's why we say: Yes to industrial workplaces, even if they are CO2 eject; No to chat control and censorship; Yes to remigration across Europe and no to Ursula von der Leyen!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to start with something positive, because the nation states have made it clear that they want to weaken the supply chain directive. Finally, therefore, the Council is also moving in the right direction, as is sometimes and increasingly happening in this Parliament - but unfortunately still too slowly - because the world is changing, it is changing rapidly, profoundly and irreversibly. Technological upheaval, demographic shifts, geopolitical tensions – we are seeing change everywhere. Only one continent seems to stand still compared to the speeds of the other parts of the world, namely Europe. While China is running away in artificial intelligence, while India is rising to become a global tech location and the US is opening up new growth centers, we are unfortunately lagging behind. What we are experiencing is no coincidence, because this continent is still bound by left-green ideology. Far too rarely do politicians in charge have the courage to use the new majorities in this Parliament, but also on this continent as a whole, in favour of a patriotic turnaround. We are available for this. We know that Europe works when its cultural richness is respected, not when it creates equality, and moreover only when there is freedom of expression and not the way you try to restrict it.

Madam President, China is a country with 1.4 billion people and a state order derived from over 3,000 years of cultural history. Anyone who believes that such a country can be changed with teachings and exhortations is not only mistaken, he is endangering the stability of global relations. China has proven time and again in all conflicts that it is willing to be reluctant. I recall that in 1999, during the Kosovo war, a Chinese embassy in Belgrade was hit by NATO bombs. The Chinese leadership's reaction to this was not an escalation, but forbearance. Europe must not allow itself to be driven into hostile thinking, neither by foreign policy rivalries nor by domestic symbolic politics. We need a foreign economic policy that is based on our interests, not on ideals. Europe must be united vis-à-vis large population and economic areas. Even Germany, France, Italy and Poland would be too small in today's world. Of course, we must formulate our interests and also represent them. But this must be done without moral exaggeration. Partnership where possible, stability where necessary and always respect for a culturally as old as self-confident counterpart. As Europe, we need to strengthen the bargaining power by reducing dependence and, at the same time, always reaching out to work together.

Madam President, Wherever Ms. Ursula von der Leyen is given responsibility, she does harm. As a family minister in Germany, she wanted to introduce the first network lockdowns 20 years ago – which earned her the nickname censorship sula. Even then, the cost of dubious consulting contracts skyrocketed. As Minister of Labour, the same picture: Millions for external consultants, millions for self-staging, but no benefit for citizens. As Minister of Defence: Again, consultants. Cell phone data that had already disappeared at that time – but then there were tanks that were also suitable for pregnant women. Today, our country and continent rightly complain that Germany could not contribute to the defence of our continent – Ms von der Leyen bears a considerable responsibility for this. And for six years it has continued its destructive work at the EU level. The Green Deal led to de-industrialisation trends across much of Europe: People lost their jobs, their income, their existence. For six years, the EU's external borders remained open: Millions of social migrants were still able to enter uncontrolled. And above all lies the shadow of the Pfizer affair, the unlawful deletion and refusal to issue SMS, the suspicion of waste and mismanagement in the COVID Recovery Fund and NGO felt. But the wind has turned compared to the last time in the legislature: Majorities are different. People also look at Brussels differently. That's why on Thursday we are paving the way for a new Commission that protects our borders, protects our freedom of expression and protects our prosperity. That's why we're sending you into undeserved political retirement on Thursday.

Madam President, NATO was a guarantor of Cold War security. It has made freedom possible in Europe, and that is why it is important today. It's about securing raw materials and sales routes, it's about securing airspace and cybersecurity. But that's why we have to be honest: Europe, and Germany in particular, have relied too much on the United States. This dependence was convenient, but was also exploited again and again. The consequence of this, however, cannot be to transfer more power to Brussels. It does not need an EU military bureaucracy, but a strong European foothold within NATO, supported by sovereign nation states acting in a coordinated manner – not against the US, but with it, but on an equal footing and with the courage to finally take more responsibility for itself.

Madam President, 40 years of the Schengen agreement means a return to normality. Stefan Zweig once said: “The world and Europe before the First World War belonged to everyone.” Everyone went wherever they wanted and stayed as long as they wanted. In fact, border control and passport control in today's understanding only existed exceptionally, not systematically. And if so, then there were physical checks, not checks on persons, with the aim of collecting customs duties. But this freedom inside Europe had two conditions that the European Union is systematically violating these days. Firstly: Instead of controlling at the state border, control in the interior used to apply. Cities and municipalities exercised the right of establishment. Those who were unemployed did not receive social assistance, but had to leave the community. In contrast to today: Today, due to the naïve and far too broadly interpreted social case-law at European level and the national case-law derived from it, there is a de facto immigration law into the German social system, which we reject. Free movement of workers and entrepreneurs – yes, intra-European social migration – no. Secondly: Europe has always stood together against external, historical dangers. Whether it was the Athenians and Spartans against the Persians or the Franks against the Moors at Poitiers, and off Vienna Austrian militias, German Landsknechte and Croatian noble armies defended Europe together with the Polish-Lithuanian king Sobieski. Freedom of movement inwards means that we need Fortress Europe outwards. If you want to preserve Schengen, you have to avoid abuse internally, and you have to defend Europe externally.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Last week, on 30 April, in the Paul-Henri Spaak building in front of the offices of our employees, there were massive noise nuisances and also threats against one of our employees. Around 6 p.m., a large group of visitors to the Left, supported by accredited assistants and staff of the Left, held a kind of demonstration. The visitors, or rather the activists, then walked up the stairs towards the exit and tore down an EU flag, which was placed on the table of honour with the picture and the memorial book for the late pope, and threw it down the stairs. One of our employees, who asked the activists for peace, was even threatened with death by a protester with the words ‘You will die!’. Dear Mr President, Such behavior is completely unacceptable and has nothing to look for in our house. I ask you to ensure that such actions are prevented in the future and that the safety of all employees and a normal working atmosphere are guaranteed at all times.

Madam President, On 8 May 1945, with the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht, the military rule of National Socialism ended. This year, too, we commemorate the millions of soldiers and civilians killed during the Second World War. We are also increasingly recognizing the dual importance of this day: May 8 meant freedom for Western Europe in the long term, but for Central and Eastern Europe it meant cementing a 45-year Russian tyranny. Richard von Weizsäcker rightly pointed out in his famous speech on 8 May 1985 that this day was inextricably linked to 30 January 1933, the beginning of the National Socialist dictatorship. But that's just part of it. For as surely as May 8 marked the end of the Nazi dictatorship, it certainly also laid the foundations for communist dictatorships. Without May 8, 1945, there would have been no Russian deportation of tens of thousands of Baltic families in March 1949, no Russian suppression of the popular uprising in the GDR on June 17, 1953, no Russian invasion of Hungary in 1956, no Russian tanks in Prague in 1968, and no suppression of the Solidarity movement in Poland. Today we commemorate the victims of the Second World War from 1 September 1939 to 8 May 1945. At the same time, we thank all the men and women who courageously stood up against the communist dictatorship and Russian domination in Central and Eastern Europe after 8 May 1945. Their commitment to freedom and national self-determination remains an indispensable part of Europe's heritage.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Those who are dependent on the outside become incapable of acting on the outside. And that is exactly what happened – not by chance, but because the old parties have left our military security to the United States of America for decades. It was comfortable, but it was also naive. Today we see the result: Europe has become blackmailable. Donald Trump's administration is trying to force Europe to buy more and more US fracking gas. The result: even higher energy prices to the detriment of our industry, our families and our prosperity. And it also takes revenge on the arrogant attitude with which many in European politics have looked down on Donald Trump for years. The public attacks have led to the fact that today there are no trusting channels of conversation with the US government in Brussels, Berlin or Paris. Fortunately, there are other voices in Europe – Viktor Orbán, Georgia Meloni and many patriotic governments – who have maintained contact. But it's not just about America. Trade alternatives have also been negligently destroyed by know-it-all attitudes towards China, India and much of Africa. Instead of partnership, there were teachings about democracy, about human rights, about climate. And today? Today, we lack exactly these partners as alternatives that we would need in order to show strength in negotiations with the USA. Those who have no alternatives have no bargaining power. The European establishment has isolated our continent through arrogance. But those who want to survive in the 21st century need cooperation instead of confrontation, partnerships, not images of enemies. And one more thing: Today, it is clear how important the European single market is. This is what we have always known as the AfD. Our motto is: Germany first, but not Germany alone. Europe needs to speak with one voice on key trade issues. But this also presupposes one thing, namely: The European establishment must end the internal division. Recognize the results of the elections in Romania! Stop interfering in Hungary's internal affairs from Brussels and stop the persecution of the AfD in Germany!

Madam President, The UN-led efforts to restart negotiations on the future of Cyprus are an important step. But while the nations involved are engaged in constructive talks, the EU has an unhelpful role to play. This is problematic because there is a lot at stake in the conflict. Cyprus is an external border of the European Union and its protection must be the core task of any European community. A weak stance on this issue threatens not only Greek sovereignty, regional stability, but the security of the whole of Europe and our citizens. And it increases Europe's blackmail potential at a time of increasing migratory pressure from the Third World. Reducing mass immigration outside Europe must be a top priority. That is why Cyprus is so important because illegal migration to the European Union takes place via the green line from north to south and via the sea route from Lebanon. That is why we need a sustainable solution for Cyprus for the benefit of all of us. I would therefore like to make one thing clear: Yes, we want good trade relations with Turkey, but on this issue it is also clear that we are supporting our Greek partners and not leaving them alone.

Madam President, In Germany and Europe, there is everything you need to make our industry successful: Skills, minds, technology and a centuries-old industrial tradition. But despite these strengths, our industry is falling behind. Not because our people would have gotten worse, but because Brussels is always putting new shackles on our economy: Bureaucracy, energy prices, obligations – made by people far away from practice. And now the EU Commission comes up with an action plan for the steel and metals industry. But like any plan of the EU Commission, this will not bring additional freedom, but new forms. No discharge, but new hurdles. We, who demand to fight for a strong economy, therefore demand: Stop walking and get rid of the blockages! CO2‐Border adjustment, Forced Labour Regulation, General Data Protection Regulation, Supply Chain Directive – all this sounds nice and well-intentioned, but steers our companies away from innovation and production towards control, paperwork and bureaucracy. More and more companies are thinking about emigration. Not because they want to, but because they have to. I want Germany and the whole of Europe to be places where industry is happy to invest and grow, where jobs are created in our homeland and not elsewhere. We have the potential, we have the minds, we have the diligence. What we don't have is a good European Commission. Let's finally give our industry the freedom to succeed.

Madam President, We mourn the victims of the war, and we condemn the war of aggression contrary to international law and the war crimes that go along with it. Our eyes must not stop at today. We need a lasting European peace strategy beyond the war in Ukraine. In recent weeks, there has been increasing talk of a major war in four or five years against Russia – a nightmare, because in the age of nuclear weapons, war is the enemy itself. That is why we now need a plan for a lasting future peace order in Europe. Firstly: Many states have reported fake armies to NATO for years – on paper, but not operational. These states need to make their troops reported by 2020 actually operational, but not upgrade beyond that, if Russia is willing in return to also bring its troop strength back to 2020 levels after the end of the Ukraine war. This is how we prevent a spiral of armor. Secondly: Europe must make it clear: No millimeter of an EU member state can be called into question. That is why a demilitarized zone on Russian territory is needed, especially for the protection of the Baltics. And also a clear message to Russia: We will not be pressured, not even by nuclear threats on Russian state television. Thirdly: Russia is in a war economy. It's easy to get into one, and it's hard to get out. Europe needs to show an economic perspective in return for a demilitarised zone: The end of sanctions and the resumption of import-export relations, not as a gift, but as an incentive to get out of the rearmament, also to give Russia the chance to get out of the war economy in the first place and not to be permanently dependent on rearmament to prevent the economic collapse. Negotiating 1,000 hours for free is better than shooting at each other for a minute. We have a duty now to take every diplomatic initiative to secure lasting peace in Europe.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, The European Semester aims to ensure stability in Europe. Indeed, it would be necessary for us to find stability again in Europe, but what you are planning in the European Union, in the European Commission, is the further disempowerment of parliaments, a further suspension of the will of the people. We want austerity to stop happening in Europe. We do not want European parliaments to be further disempowered. We want the will of the people to be fully realized. What we are currently seeing in Europe is: The disempowerment of the peoples themselves is destabilizing. Look at what's happening in Romania: A candidate who is wanted by the people, who is in the lead in all polls, is excluded from the candidacy. Take a look at what is happening in Bulgaria: A referendum on the introduction of the euro will be rejected. Look at what is happening in Germany, where there is discussion about whether a party should be banned, or where a recount of the result of the German Bundestag election is rejected, although a party may be denied entry into the Bundestag there. We must rediscover the will of the people throughout Europe. This ensures stability, not additional centralism by the European Commission.

Madam President, The EU Commission promises a bolder, simpler and faster Union. The Commission even wants to reduce the regulatory burden by 25%. But the announcements speak a different language. Because what sounds good at first is always implemented differently in reality: Maintaining the wrong course of the combustion ban, adherence to more reporting obligations and documentation tasks through climate policy. It would require less bureaucracy. Companies should produce, not fill out forms. Continue with the frightened technology policy, as you can see from the regulations of artificial intelligence and Bitcoin. In Brussels: If it moves, regulate it, if it breathes, tax it. Our companies are struggling with a flood of regulations, while China is subsidizing its industry with billions and the U.S. with the Inflation Reduction Act attract investments from abroad in a targeted manner. However, Europe will only become strong again if the European level concentrates on the core tasks: secure our external borders; promote cooperation between European states in defence and research; Strengthen the Single Market to increase prosperity. That is why I repeat my request from the debate on the Commission. It is necessary to restore the European Union to its core: Fewer skills, fewer tasks, fewer expenses. Better to do the little important thing well than to take care of everything and everyone, but then fail. Less is more! Europe can succeed, but for that we need the courage to become reality and the will not only to make announcements, but actually to act. The European Commission once again fails to recognise this will.