Address by Lambrecht at the Panel Discussion „Stemming the Illiberal Tide“

Address by Federal Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht at the Panel Discussion Stemming the Illiberal Tide: The Global Challenge of Eroding Democracy 58th Munich Security Conference 18 February 2022.

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Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Last Sunday, just after his re-election, our Federal President made a memorable point directed at Russia and President Putin:

“Do not underestimate the strength of democracy!”

At a moment of great tension and concern, the German President reminded us of the power that comes from living in a democracy:

• a power that does not come from the barrel of a gun or from blunt posturing,
• a power founded on our open and courageous society,
• a power that comes from the ability of free citizens to choose their own representatives – and also to remove them from office.

It is this power that unites us when we are under threat.

Faced with the threatening situation on the Ukrainian border and the pressure on our eastern neighbours, we – the democratic states – have closed ranks, acting with great unity and resolve. This applies to the European Union, which is not just an economic community but above all a community of values; and it applies to NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization – an alliance that creates security by wielding military power, but whose true strength stems from its inner values: freedom, democracy and justice. These values must be defended against violence and tyranny, by military means if need be.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Speaking about security here in Munich, we should always remember that democracy gives us power and security. Democracy protects, and must itself be protected. With resolve and resilience.

Recent figures show that democracy is in need of protection. According to analysts from The Economist, less than half of the world’s population live in a democracy.

More than a third live under authoritarian rule. According to these figures, Germany is among the countries in the category of “full democracies”.

While this may be a source of pride, it more importantly reminds us of our own strength. And it reminds us of the responsibility we bear as democrats. We need to be able to do more than just defend ourselves: we also need to support those who are striving for freedom, self-determination and democracy.

As a member of NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization, Germany is committed both to defending democracy and to supporting others. The many deployments abroad that we carry out with our partners are impressive evidence of this. We Germans are all too aware of the fragility of freedom, justice and peace, not only abroad but here at home.

For this reason, we have fortified our troops against the enemies of democracy by providing them with a clear set of values, based on a concept of soldiers who not only fight for the freedom of their fellow citizens but are free citizens themselves.

I am determined to defend these core values of the Bundeswehr against all those who oppose them – against right-wing extremists and conspiracy theorists, against reactionaries and troublemakers who spread confusion and suffer from historical amnesia.

The task of the Bundeswehr is to safeguard our democracy. And one of its key strengths is that it practices the values it fights for.

Ladies and gentlemen,

At all levels, Germany’s security policy is based on the interplay of security and democracy.

We will therefore thoroughly evaluate the operations of the German armed forces in future. One aim of this is to ensure that we are accomplishing our military missions. Another is to ensure that our operations always remain fully in line with our values:

• Who and what are we fighting for?
• Are we going about it the right way?
• How can military force be used to bring more peace, freedom and justice to the world in the medium to long term, and to make it a better place?

Germany’s democracy places heavy demands on its armed forces’ operations abroad. We do not fight for prestige or the greatness of our nation. We do not train as if war were a business, like mercenaries do. Our servicemen and women are democrats and serve democracy. This is their guiding principle, and it also applies for example to the mission in Mali – which is why we are keeping a very close eye on the behaviour of those currently in power there.

Yes, it is true that stability and security in the Sahel region is in Germany’s interest. But it is also in our interest to support those who respect human rights and strive for democracy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The enemies of democracy may believe that security is always a question of power, but we do not share that view.

We know what our President means when he invokes the “strength of democracy”. We know that true power lies in the values we hold. And values are more powerful than weapons alone.

And now I look forward to our discussion!