Erfurt (dpa/th) - The President of the Thuringian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution has advised the left against Monday demonstrations against the gas levy and high energy prices. With a view to the historically significant term, Stephan Kramer told the editorial network Germany (RND/Friday): "One should not misuse the Monday demonstrations."
The protest against rising energy prices is absolutely legitimate. "But the label Monday demonstrations has no place there. Because the uprising against the SED regime has nothing to do with today's concerns." The left must also "be extremely careful not to march hand in hand with the AfD".
Sören Pellmann, the left-wing parliamentary group's commissioner for Eastern Europe, had called for Monday demonstrations against the gas levy and high energy prices. The term has had a high symbolic meaning since the peaceful revolution in the GDR and the Leipzig Monday demonstrations against the SED. The right is also mobilizing separately from the left against the government's energy policy - and they too sometimes use the slogan of the Monday demonstration.
Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) warned supporters of his party against participating in Monday demonstrations against high energy costs on Deutschlandfunk on Thursday. One shouldn't associate with xenophobes and people who understand Putin, he said. Left party leader Janine Wissler said on Thursday on ARD that there could be no cooperation with the AfD.
Thuringia's president for the protection of the constitution also emphasized that there is currently a danger not only from the right, but also from the left - namely from the climate protection movement. In essence, this makes understandable demands. But parts of the climate protection movement are attacking the energy infrastructure with acts of sabotage. "Some are trying to use force to draw attention to their concerns." There is also "radical potential" that needs to be kept in mind.
