Libe­ral demo­cracy thri­ves as long as there are demo­crats who actively stand up for it and embrace all asso­cia­ted nego­tia­tion pro­ces­ses. Con­tro­ver­sies invol­ving peo­ple who lis­ten to one ano­ther and are enga­ged in con­s­truc­tive dis­pu­tes are part of the demo­cra­tic cul­ture of debate and pro­duc­tive dis­agree­ment. They make an important con­tri­bu­tion to a society based on peaceful and respectful coexis­tence and fos­ter the deve­lo­p­ment of indi­vi­dual and social posi­ti­ons. Any pro­cess invol­ving nego­tia­ti­ons requi­res a wil­ling­ness to com­pro­mise. It is the oppo­site of popu­lism and helps keep social pola­ri­sa­tion at bay. A strong demo­cracy must reso­lut­ely oppose any form of extre­mism and anti-demo­cra­tic behaviour.

Group-focu­sed enmity such as anti­se­mi­tism, racism and all other forms of dis­cri­mi­na­tion and exclu­sion wea­ken the foun­da­ti­ons of demo­cra­tic cul­ture. They have no place in a libe­ral demo­cracy. Those who stir up hat­red or use vio­lence against peo­ple must face the legal consequences.