A leading figure in Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has refuted recent criticism from the United States government concerning the state of free speech within the country.
Jens Spahn, head of the CDU parliamentary faction, addressed a report from the US State Department alleging restrictions on freedom of expression in Germany, stating in an interview with the television channel “Welt” that “everyone can say what they think in Germany. It is a free country”. He acknowledged that, as with any jurisdiction, legal boundaries exist pertaining to criminal activity and instances of defamation.
Spahn cautioned against the increasing tendency to avoid discussing potentially contentious subjects. He stated the importance of fostering wider debate, arguing that taboos around specific topics were detrimental. He highlighted irregular migration as an example of a subject that had historically been subject to this phenomenon. The CDU representative further emphasized that silencing discussions – particularly on issues relating to migration and integration, alongside other complex topics – creates the perception that open expression is limited and this is undesirable in a pluralistic society.