In
Schleswig-Holstein, a special committee is currently working on a reform of the State's constitution. Controversy has been aroused over a word in the new preamble: The CDU calls for a reference to God. Members of the SPD and the Greens have launched an initiative against it.
Leading Schleswig-Holstein politicians of the SPD and the Greens oppose a reference to God in the future state constitution via an initiative. "We see no need for such a religious amendment", it is written in the statement
"A Constitution for all", which has now been published on the Internet. In the current state constitution no such formulation can be found so far.
The planned reform of the preamble should include a broad set of values based on human values, human rights, peace and justice. Such a text has been drafted by a bipartisan special committee of the Landtag. A counter-proposal of the CDU faction, however, calls for the passage: "in responsibility before God".
On the other hand, the initiative to stop the reference to God rejects this and refers to the majority of the other German state constitutions and on constitutions in Scandinavia, which would dispense with a reference to God. "A growing number of people in Schleswig-Holstein identify themselves with no religion and could feel excluded."
Among the 30 signatories there are several Green and Social Democratic members of the Landtag. Even Lübeck Mayor Bernd Saxe (SPD) and Green Party state chairwoman Ruth Kastner support the initiative.
Minister-President Torsten Albig (SPD) and SPD faction leader Ralf Stegner advocate a reference to God, though. During a Landtag session in July Albig declared it as "unthinkable" to dispense with a reference to God. "The vast majority of people in this State ascribe themselves to something higher."
It is irrelevant whether they are Christians, Muslims or Jews or members of other denominations. "I'm going to canvass broad support for this. This is about the avowal of acting in the awareness of responsibility before God and the men."
The reference to God will not to be decided on before the vote on the new constitution in the fall. For this purpose a two-third majority in the Landtag would be necessary, but is considered unlikely.
In a straw poll within the SPD parliamentary group about half of the members were for it and half against it, faction spokeswoman Petra Groom said on Thursday. Also within the Greens, the Pirates and the FDP there is considerable resistance. In contrast, the CDU parliamentary group supports a reference to God unanimously.
With the reform of the constitution, referenda are to be held more easily thanks to lower quorums and ensuring digital privacy is to be enshrined as a national objective. The schools of the Danish minority will be ensured as well as inclusion. For the reform as a whole a solid majority is expected. CDU, SPD, Greens, FDP and SSW have signaled their yea; the Pirates want to consult their members.
Source
Facts about Schleswig-Holstein:
- northernmost state of Germany, common border with Denmark
- one of the flattest, smallest and least populous states (population of Nevada)
- only German state with two costs
- Its Minister-President is Torsten Albig (SPD).
- It has been governed by a coalition of SPD, Greens and the Danish/Frisian minority party SSW since 2012.
- While Albig is considered a moderate, Stegner is one of the staunchest left-wing Social Democrats in the FRG.
- Everybody wants to vacation there, but nobody wants to live there.
- Just imagine North Dakota bordering both the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean.
Moreover: Only 7 German states, i.e. a bare minority, have a reference to God in their constitutions. And so does the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany.
Religious affiliation of the Schleswig-Holsteinians:
- 53% Protestants
- 6% Catholics
- 3% Muslims
- 0.06% Jews
- 38% unaffiliated
| |
| Torsten Albig | Ralf Stegner |
Poll
