Wir2030

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Explanation and justification

Democracy thrives on debate – on the open exchange of different opinions, on public debates, on criticism, counter-speech and correction. Decisions that affect everyone must never be made in the shadows. They must be in the public eye – justified, scrutinized and discussed.

Where debate ends, arbitrariness begins.

Why debate is the touchstone of every democracy

Political decisions are never “without alternative”. You must:

• are based on transparent information,
• be publicly justified,
• may be questioned by independent voices,
• Leave room for dissent – even and especially in times of crisis.

If measures – such as contact bans, school closures, vaccination requirements, restrictions on fundamental rights or surveillance systems – are decided or pushed through without open discussion, the state loses its legitimacy as a democratic actor.

Decisions without debate are authoritarian – even if they look democratic.

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What happens when debate is suppressed?

• Criticism is defamed (e.g. as “lacking solidarity”, “dangerous”, “right-wing”).
• Scientists, doctors and lawyers with dissenting opinions are censored or professionally sanctioned.
• The media adopt one-sided narratives and fail to ask critical questions.
• Parliaments are disempowered by emergency ordinances and ministerial decrees.
• The population is divided into “good doers” and “bad deniers”.

This is no longer democracy – this is the rule of opinion.

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Democracy is not a state of emergency

Crises are not a justification for dismantling democratic principles – they are a test.

Especially when decisions have a profound impact on people’s lives, more discussion is needed , not less.

• How we deal with risks is not a question of biology, but of values.
• Whether a measure is “proportionate” can only be determined through debate.
• Whether a decision will stand the test of time depends on whether it can withstand criticism.

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Our position

We2030 stands for a vibrant, contentious democracy. We demand:

• the return to real debate in Parliament,
• the recognition of legitimate scientific diversity,
• the lifting of bans on thought and speech,
• and the reappraisal of authoritarian measures of recent years.

Because:
No democracy without debate.
Any measure without debate is a blow to democracy – and therefore to us all.