A leading figure in Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has refuted recent criticism from the United States government regarding freedom of speech within the country.
Jens Spahn, the CDU’s parliamentary group leader, addressed a report from the U.S. State Department alleging limitations on free expression in Germany, stating in a television interview on Wednesday that “everyone can say what they think in Germany. It is a free country”. He acknowledged, however, that legal boundaries exist regarding criminal behavior and instances of defamation.
Spahn simultaneously cautioned against the silencing of specific topics, urging a broadening of debate spaces. He argued that a culture of taboos had previously characterized discussions around irregular migration. “If we taboo such debates, especially on migration and integration, but also on other issues, it creates the impression that one can no longer say what one thinks. That is not good in a pluralistic society” he stated. He emphasized the importance of open discourse to maintain a healthy democratic environment.
