The Humanist Association of Germany’s election test stones, which were sent on Monday to the leaders of the German parties represented in the European Parliament, comprise a total of ten sets of questions.
- The election touchstones aim to find out what their positions are on issues such as these:
- Which parties will consistently stand up for the rights of women and lesbian, gay, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people?
- Which parties want to work towards an end to the discrimination against non-denominational people and people of other faiths through church employment law in Germany, which is unique in Europe?
- Which parties will strengthen the democratic structures in the European Union and the continuous participation of civil society?
- Which parties are working to ensure that the international community begins to consistently assume its responsibilities again in refugee, development and arms policy in line with the principles and ideals set out at the beginning of the Treaty on European Union?
- Which parties are in favor of equal treatment and equal political inclusion of the approximately 100 million people in the EU who do not believe in God, according to Eurobarometer?
- Which parties will also campaign at European level for the protection of the freedom of science and research and the comprehensive realization of freedom of thought, speech, religion and belief?
The parties’ positions on these issues are of interest to all voters who want their vote to support the emergence of a modern and peaceful Europe that actively embraces its great diversity and comprehensive responsibility.
At the presentation of the election test stones on Monday, the President of the Humanist Association of Germany, Frieder Otto Wolf, said in Berlin: “The serious economic and social crisis is promoting nationalism and populism in all member states. In May, voters will be called upon to directly influence the course of the European Union and to redefine the role of the European Union in the world. Our election touchstones are intended to help highlight the key issues that all citizens should keep in mind: concern for the common good and human dignity.”
As soon as the responses from the parties have been received, they will be published on the Association’s website.
The entire questionnaire with the election test questions for the 2014 European elections can be downloaded here:
