Humanist ideas and convictions are part of the foundation of modern Europe. This was emphasized by the President of the Humanist Association of Germany, Frieder Otto Wolf, on the occasion of the presentation of the parties’ responses to the Association’s election test stones for the upcoming European Parliament elections.
“Peace, prosperity, participation in education, politics and culture as well as the opportunity for all citizens to lead a self-determined life in social responsibility were once central motives for the European project,” said Wolf on Tuesday morning in Berlin. “In a month’s time, it will be decided whether our community of states can hold on to these fundamental orientations despite the diverse, deep crises.” In the upcoming European elections, which will take place in Germany on May 25, 2014, voters will be able to vote on the distribution of the 751 seats in the European Parliament for the next five years. 96 seats will be occupied by MEPs from Germany and will have a decisive influence on the lives of all people in the European Union (EU). Based on the guiding principles of a modern, secular and humanist worldview, the association therefore sent questions to the German parties currently represented by MEPs in the European Parliament. The answers are intended to serve as a guide for voters who want to preserve and advance the project of a “Europe for the people” with their decision. “Only a fair, open and secular Europe has a future,” emphasized Frieder Otto Wolf. The responses of the parties are significant from the perspective of voters in Germany who do not belong to a religious denomination, among others. According to the Eurobarometer, around 100 million people across the EU do not believe in a god and many more do not belong to any of the major religious communities. Nevertheless, at national and international level, non-denominational and non-religious people are discriminated against in many ways, as are women and people without a heterosexual identity. From a humanist point of view, there is also a considerable need to develop the perspective of a sustainable European Union that is actively aware of its great diversity and can assume its responsibility for all people in the EU as part of the global world community. That is why the information provided by the parties on the election touchstones offers valuable information and guidance for all those who are concerned about the success of the European project. Finally, the election touchstones can also serve as a basis for voters to address their questions directly to the candidates or to formulate their own election appeals. Frieder Otto Wolf continued: “It is crucial that the citizens of Germany take part in this opportunity for democratic participation and vote on May 25. In this way, they can give the new parliament the greatest possible legitimacy to tackle the enormous challenges we face as a European community today.”
