3 ms·

And if Obama himself made actions to allow such a lawsuit to move forward, it would be seen countrywide as an egregious move against free speech. For Merkel to

And if Obama himself made actions to allow such a lawsuit to move forward, it would be seen countrywide as an egregious move against free speech. For Merkel to personally get involved and say that the guy should be prosecuted is a hit against freedom of speech in germany, regardless of the outcome.

vidarh 11y ago
Imagine if Obama took actions to interfere with the judicial process to deny prosecution in response to someone wanting to pursue a claim under a law that was on the books? In this case Merkel was dealt bad cards: A law that should have been removed a long time ago puts the issue on her table. If she had opted to deny consent, it would have been a blow to the principles of separation of powers, the very thing many European governments - including Germany - are criticizing Poland, Hungary and Turkey for violating right now. It would have made her a total hypocrite. So she has opted to stay out, and taken the opportunity to raise the issue of removing this paragraph.
- unprepare 11y ago
  Hmmm... Defend human rights and look like a hypocrite, or allow human rights to be abused and look like not a hypocrite? I wouldnt have come to the same conclusion as Merkel.
  - icebraining 11y ago
    She only allowed him to be trialled; if the law goes against human rights, it's the court's job to sort it out.
chopin 11y ago
Merkels actions in this case are percepted very critically around here (at least in my filter bubble). I think it is quite open how this will play out for her. The public TV, where the accused has his work place, although independent formally, is force-financed by the public and widely seen as prey of the ruling parties (mainly SPD and CDU, who form the government now). It is quite possible that the ensuing discussing will scar the public TV as well and Merkel in the cross-fire.

3 ms·

And if Obama himself made actions to allow such a lawsuit to move forward, it would be seen countrywide as an egregious move against free speech. For Merkel to

by unprepare 11y ago

vidarh 11y ago
Imagine if Obama took actions to interfere with the judicial process to deny prosecution in response to someone wanting to pursue a claim under a law that was on the books? In this case Merkel was dealt bad cards: A law that should have been removed a long time ago puts the issue on her table. If she had opted to deny consent, it would have been a blow to the principles of separation of powers, the very thing many European governments - including Germany - are criticizing Poland, Hungary and Turkey for violating right now. It would have made her a total hypocrite. So she has opted to stay out, and taken the opportunity to raise the issue of removing this paragraph.
- unprepare 11y ago
  Hmmm... Defend human rights and look like a hypocrite, or allow human rights to be abused and look like not a hypocrite? I wouldnt have come to the same conclusion as Merkel.
  - icebraining 11y ago
    She only allowed him to be trialled; if the law goes against human rights, it's the court's job to sort it out.
chopin 11y ago
Merkels actions in this case are percepted very critically around here (at least in my filter bubble). I think it is quite open how this will play out for her. The public TV, where the accused has his work place, although independent formally, is force-financed by the public and widely seen as prey of the ruling parties (mainly SPD and CDU, who form the government now). It is quite possible that the ensuing discussing will scar the public TV as well and Merkel in the cross-fire.