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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{for|the 19th century anarchist publication|Freiheit (1879)}}
{{Infobox political party
{{Infobox political party
|country = Germany
|country = Germany
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|native_name = Die Freiheit – Bürgerrechtspartei für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie
|native_name = Die Freiheit – Bürgerrechtspartei für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie
|logo = [[Image:Logo-Die-Freiheit.jpg|220px|Logo of Freedom]]
|logo = [[Image:Logo-Die-Freiheit.jpg|220px|Logo of Freedom]]
|leader = Michael Stürzenberger
|leader = [[Michael Stürzenberger]]
|founder = [[René Stadtkewitz]]
|chairman = Karl Schmitt
|chairman = Karl Schmitt
|leader1_title = Vice-Chairman
|leader1_title = Vice-Chairman
|leader1_name = [[Marc Doll]]
|leader1_name = Marc Doll
|foundation = 28 October 2010
|foundation = 28 October 2010
|dissolution = 4 December 2016
|dissolution = 4 December 2016
|headquarters = Storkower Straße 158 <br /> 10407 [[Berlin]]
|headquarters = Storkower Straße 158 <br /> 10407 [[Berlin]]
|ideology = {{ublist
|ideology = [[Classical liberalism]]<ref name="tagesspiegel1">{{Citation |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/landespolitik/die-freiheit-soll-rechts-sein-liberal-und-anders-als-andere/1930552.html |title="Die Freiheit" soll rechts sein, liberal – und anders als andere |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |first= Werner|last=van Bebber|date= 10 September 2010 |accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="tagesspiegel2"/><br />[[National liberalism]]<br>[[Direct democracy]]<br />[[Right-wing populism]]<br />[[Criticism of Islam|Anti-Islam]]
| [[Conservative liberalism]]
⚫
|position = [[Right-wing politics|Right-wing]] to [[Far-right]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lesursaut.fr/en/autriche/|work=Le Sursaut|first=Andreas|last=Lang|title=The Austrian danger of a self-fulfilling prophecy of political and religious radicalization}}</ref>
| [[Classical liberalism]]
| [[Right-wing populism]]
}}
⚫
|position = [[Far-right politics|Far-right]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lesursaut.fr/en/autriche/|work=Le Sursaut|first=Andreas|last=Lang|title=The Austrian danger of a self-fulfilling prophecy of political and religious radicalization}}</ref>
|split = [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany]]
|merged = [[Alternative for Germany]] (de facto)
|newspaper =
|newspaper =
|international =
|international = [[International Freedom Alliance]]
|european =
|european =
|colours = [[Blue]] and [[Orange (colour)|orange]]
|colours = {{Color box|#0A61B0}} {{Color box|orange}} [[Blue]] and [[Orange (colour)|orange]]
|colorcode = #0A61B0
|colorcode = #0A61B0
|website = [http://www.diefreiheit.org/ www.diefreiheit.org]
|website =
}}
}}
'''Freedom – Civil Rights Party for More Freedom and Democracy''' (''Die Freiheit – Bürgerrechtspartei für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie''), also known as '''The Freedom''' ({{lang-de|Die Freiheit}}), was a [[political party]] in [[Germany]] which identified as [[Conservative liberalism|conservative-liberal]]<ref name="Junge Freiheit"/> or [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]]<ref name="tagesspiegel1"/> party; while the party was described by German mainstream media as [[Right-wing populism|right-wing populist]],<ref name="SPON">{{Citation |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,737676,00.html |title=Riding the Wave of Islamophobia: The German Geert Wilders |newspaper=Spiegel Online |first=Jochen-Martin |last=Gutsch |date=1 June 2011 |accessdate=21 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Zeit">{{Citation |url=http://www.zeit.de/2011/03/Parteitag-Die-Freiheit |title=Rechtspopulismus: Keinen Fußbreit |newspaper=Die Zeit |language=German |accessdate=21 July 2011}}</ref> and was known for its [[criticism of Islam]].<ref name="SPON"/><ref name="Zeit"/>
'''Freedom – Civil Rights Party for More Freedom and Democracy''' ({{langx|de|Die Freiheit – Bürgerrechtspartei für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie}}), known as '''The Freedom''' ({{langx|de|Die Freiheit}}) for short, was a political party in Germany which identified as [[Conservative liberalism|conservative-liberal]]<ref name="Junge Freiheit"/> and [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]].<ref name="tagesspiegel1">{{Citation |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/landespolitik/die-freiheit-soll-rechts-sein-liberal-und-anders-als-andere/1930552.html |title="Die Freiheit" soll rechts sein, liberal – und anders als andere |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |first= Werner|last=van Bebber|date= 10 September 2010 |access-date=22 August 2011}}</ref> Described as [[Right-wing populism|right-wing populist]],<ref name="SPON">{{Citation |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,737676,00.html |title=Riding the Wave of Islamophobia: The German Geert Wilders |newspaper=Spiegel Online |first=Jochen-Martin |last=Gutsch |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Zeit">{{Citation |url=http://www.zeit.de/2011/03/Parteitag-Die-Freiheit |title=Rechtspopulismus: Keinen Fußbreit |newspaper=Die Zeit |language=de |access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> the party was known for its [[criticism of Islam]].<ref name="SPON"/><ref name="Zeit"/>


It was founded in October 2010 by Berlin city parliamentarian René Stadtkewitz who had been expelled from the conservative [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]] for inviting the Dutch politician and Islam critic [[Geert Wilders]] to Berlin. The party seeks the implementation of a [[Direct democracy|direct citizen democracy]] based on the [[Politics of Switzerland|Swiss model]] and extensive changes in [[immigration]] and [[Racial integration|integration]] policy.<ref>{{Citation |first=Jan |last=Bielicki |title=Anti-Islam-Partei "Die Freiheit": Geert Wilders light |newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/anti-islam-partei-die-freiheit-geert-wilders-light-1.1053605 |accessdate=30 Aug 2011}}</ref>
The party was founded in October 2010 by Berlin city parliamentarian [[René Stadtkewitz]] who had been expelled from the centre-right [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany]] (CDU) for inviting the Dutch politician [[Geert Wilders]] to Berlin. The party sought the implementation of a [[Direct democracy|direct citizen democracy]] based on the [[Politics of Switzerland|Swiss model]] and extensive changes in [[immigration]] and [[Racial integration|integration]] policy.<ref>{{Citation |first=Jan |last=Bielicki |title=Anti-Islam-Partei "Die Freiheit": Geert Wilders light |newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=February 2011 |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/anti-islam-partei-die-freiheit-geert-wilders-light-1.1053605 |access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
Freedom was founded in October 2010 by [[René Stadtkewitz]] in the wake of the immigration debate spurred by the then-member of the Executive Board of the [[Deutsche Bundesbank]] [[Thilo Sarrazin]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A false prophet |author= |url=http://www.economist.com/node/17200240 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=7 October 2010 |accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref> The Berlin city parliamentarian Stadtkewitz was expelled from the [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] faction in 2010 after inviting [[Netherlands|Dutch]] politician [[Geert Wilders]] of the [[Party for Freedom]] to hold a speech in [[Berlin]]. A number of other politicians who left their respective parties joined Stadtkewitz,<ref>[http://www.diefreiheit.org/der-berliner-abgeordnete-rene-stadtkewitz-grundet-neue-buergerrechtspartei-die-freiheit/ Der Berliner Abgeordnete Rene Stadtkewitz gründet neue Bürgerrechtspartei Die Freiheit.] Press release of the party. 10 Sep 2010. Retrieved on 21 July 2011.</ref> while prominent Islam and immigration critic Thilo Sarrazin refused participation in the new party, but fought to stay in his [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] and stated that the immigration and integration issues had to be discussed inside the major parties.<ref name="WELT"/> In June 2011, the party expanded, founding state associations in ten German states.<ref name="ND">{{Citation |url=http://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/199185.die-freiheit-nun-auch-in-bayern.html |title="Die Freiheit" nun auch in Bayern |newspaper=Neues Deutschland |first=Rudolf |last=Stumberger |date=6 June 2011 |accessdate=21 July 2011 |language=German}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.nh24.de/index.php/politik-und-wirtschaft/21-allgemeines-aus-der-politik-und-wirtschaft/46005-giessen-proteste-gegen-parteitag-zur-gruendung-von-die-freiheit-in-hessen |title=Proteste gegen Parteitag zur Gründung von Die Freiheit in Hessen |newspaper=nh24.de |language=German |date=6 June 2011 |accessdate=21 July 2011}}</ref>
Freedom was founded in October 2010 by [[René Stadtkewitz]] in the wake of the immigration debate spurred by the then-member of the Executive Board of the [[Deutsche Bundesbank]] [[Thilo Sarrazin]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A false prophet |url=http://www.economist.com/node/17200240 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=7 October 2010 |access-date=23 March 2011}}</ref> The Berlin city parliamentarian Stadtkewitz was expelled from the [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] in 2010 after inviting [[Netherlands|Dutch]] politician [[Geert Wilders]] of the [[Party for Freedom]] to hold a speech in [[Berlin]]. A number of other politicians who left their respective parties joined Stadtkewitz,<ref>[http://www.diefreiheit.org/der-berliner-abgeordnete-rene-stadtkewitz-grundet-neue-buergerrechtspartei-die-freiheit/ Der Berliner Abgeordnete Rene Stadtkewitz gründet neue Bürgerrechtspartei Die Freiheit.] Press release of the party. 10 Sep 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2011.</ref> while prominent Islam and immigration critic Thilo Sarrazin refused participation in the new party, but fought to stay in his [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] and stated that the immigration and integration issues had to be discussed inside the major parties.<ref name="WELT"/> In June 2011, the party expanded, founding state associations in ten German states.<ref name="ND">{{Citation |url=http://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/199185.die-freiheit-nun-auch-in-bayern.html |title="Die Freiheit" nun auch in Bayern |newspaper=Neues Deutschland |first=Rudolf |last=Stumberger |date=6 June 2011 |access-date=21 July 2011 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.nh24.de/index.php/politik-und-wirtschaft/21-allgemeines-aus-der-politik-und-wirtschaft/46005-giessen-proteste-gegen-parteitag-zur-gruendung-von-die-freiheit-in-hessen |title=Proteste gegen Parteitag zur Gründung von Die Freiheit in Hessen |newspaper=nh24.de |language=de |date=6 June 2011 |access-date=21 July 2011 |archive-date=23 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823092657/http://www.nh24.de/index.php/politik-und-wirtschaft/21-allgemeines-aus-der-politik-und-wirtschaft/46005-giessen-proteste-gegen-parteitag-zur-gruendung-von-die-freiheit-in-hessen |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The [[2011 Berlin state election]] was the first election the party participated in. Freedom won 1.0% of the popular vote.<ref>http://www.wahlen-berlin.de</ref>
The [[2011 Berlin state election]] was the first election the party participated in. Freedom won 1.0% of the popular vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wahlen-berlin.de/ |title=Home |website=wahlen-berlin.de}}</ref>


In 2016 the party stated that its objectives had largely been adopted by the [[Alternative für Deutschland]] party and was subsequently dissolved by its members.
In 2016, the party stated that its objectives had largely been adopted by the [[Alternative for Germany]] (AfD) party and was subsequently dissolved by its members.


==Ideology==
==Ideology==
[[File:Partei Die Freiheit Plakat Kommunalwahl 2014 (12268767053).jpg|thumb|Campaign poster for the [[Munich]] local elections 2014]]
[[File:Partei Die Freiheit Plakat Kommunalwahl 2014 (12268767053).jpg|thumb|Campaign poster for the [[Munich]] local elections 2014]]


Freedom identifies as a [[Conservative liberalism|conservative-liberal]]<ref name="Junge Freiheit">{{cite news|url=http://www.jungefreiheit.de/Single-News-Display-mit-Komm.154+M54ee6b8f997.0.html |title=René Stadtkewitz gründet bürgerlich-liberale Partei |work=[[Junge Freiheit]] |accessdate=19 July 2011 |date=10 September 2010 |language=German |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154543/http://www.jungefreiheit.de/Single-News-Display-mit-Komm.154+M54ee6b8f997.0.html |archivedate=27 September 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> or [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]]<ref name="tagesspiegel1"/><ref name="tagesspiegel2">{{Citation |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/islamgegner-wilders-plant-rede-in-berlin/1937710.html |title=Islamgegner Wilders plant Rede in Berlin |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |date=20 Sep 2010}}</ref> party. Stadtkewitz himself has explained that his party would be more liberal than the [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]], less statist than the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]] and more [[Anti-establishment|anti-political establishment]] than the German [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]].<ref name="tagesspiegel2"/>
Freedom identifies as a [[Conservative liberalism|conservative-liberal]]<ref name="Junge Freiheit">{{cite news|url=http://www.jungefreiheit.de/Single-News-Display-mit-Komm.154+M54ee6b8f997.0.html |title=René Stadtkewitz gründet bürgerlich-liberale Partei |work=[[Junge Freiheit]] |access-date=19 July 2011 |date=10 September 2010 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154543/http://www.jungefreiheit.de/Single-News-Display-mit-Komm.154+M54ee6b8f997.0.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> or [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]]<ref name="tagesspiegel1"/><ref name="tagesspiegel2">{{Citation |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/islamgegner-wilders-plant-rede-in-berlin/1937710.html |title=Islamgegner Wilders plant Rede in Berlin |newspaper=Der Tagesspiegel |date=20 September 2010}}</ref> party. Stadtkewitz himself has explained that his party would be more liberal than the [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]], less statist than the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]] and more [[Anti-establishment|anti-political establishment]] than the German [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]].<ref name="tagesspiegel2"/>


Some of their core issues included:<ref name="program">Presentation of the party platform on [http://www.diefreiheit.org/politische-programme/grundsatzprogramm/ DieFreiheit.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209115454/http://www.diefreiheit.org/politische-programme/grundsatzprogramm/ |date=9 February 2011 }}</ref>
Some of their core issues included:<ref name="program">Presentation of the party platform on [http://www.diefreiheit.org/politische-programme/grundsatzprogramm/ DieFreiheit.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209115454/http://www.diefreiheit.org/politische-programme/grundsatzprogramm/ |date=9 February 2011 }}</ref>
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* Support of [[Israel]].
* Support of [[Israel]].
* Stricter social welfare policies.
* Stricter social welfare policies.
* Withdrawal from the European Union.
* Combatting the "[[Islamisation]] of [[Germany]]."
* Combatting the "[[Islamisation]] of [[Germany]]."


The program of the party was modeled after the one of the Dutch [[Party for Freedom]], founded and led by [[Geert Wilders]].<ref name="WELT">{{Citation |first=Christine |last=Kensche |title=Der deutsche Wilders will kein Rassist sein |newspaper=WELT Online |date=30 Aug 2011 |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/wahl/berlin-wahl/article13574487/Der-deutsche-Wilders-will-kein-Rassist-sein.html |accessdate=30 Aug 2011}}</ref>
The program of the party was modeled after the one of the Dutch [[Party for Freedom]], founded and led by [[Geert Wilders]].<ref name="WELT">{{Citation |first=Christine |last=Kensche |title=Der deutsche Wilders will kein Rassist sein |newspaper=WELT Online |date=30 August 2011 |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/wahl/berlin-wahl/article13574487/Der-deutsche-Wilders-will-kein-Rassist-sein.html |access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref>


Some German media have variously described the party as [[Right-wing populism|right-wing populist]],<ref name="WELT"/><ref>{{Citation |title=Obdachlose Rechtspopulisten |newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/partei-die-freiheit-obdachlose-rechtspopulisten-1.1045138 |accessdate=30 Aug 2011}}</ref> [[Islamophobia|islamophobic]],<ref name="SPON"/><ref name="Zeit"/> and [[Conservatism|conservative]].<ref name="focus1">{{Citation |url=http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/tid-19823/fuenf-antworten-zur-rechtspartei-5-wer-verbirgt-sich-hinter-der-neuen-konservativen-partei-die-freiheit_aid_551153.html |title=Wer verbirgt sich hinter der neuen konservativen Partei "Die Freiheit"? |newspaper=Focus Online |first= |last=|date= |accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref>
Some German media have variously described the party as [[Right-wing populism|right-wing populist]],<ref name="WELT"/><ref>{{Citation |title=Obdachlose Rechtspopulisten |newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung |date=11 January 2011 |url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/partei-die-freiheit-obdachlose-rechtspopulisten-1.1045138 |access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> [[Islamophobia|islamophobic]],<ref name="SPON"/><ref name="Zeit"/> and [[Conservatism|conservative]].<ref name="focus1">{{Citation |url=http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/tid-19823/fuenf-antworten-zur-rechtspartei-5-wer-verbirgt-sich-hinter-der-neuen-konservativen-partei-die-freiheit_aid_551153.html |title=Wer verbirgt sich hinter der neuen konservativen Partei "Die Freiheit"? |newspaper=Focus Online |access-date=22 August 2011}}</ref>


The party called for critical observation of imams, mosques, and Islamic schools and for a review of Islamic organizations to ensure their compliance with German laws, and condemned efforts to build a parallel legal structure based on sharia.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/251772/germany-s-freiheit-party-joins-fray-daniel-pipes</ref>
The party called for critical observation of imams, mosques, and Islamic schools and for a review of Islamic organizations to ensure their compliance with German laws, and condemned efforts to build a parallel legal structure based on sharia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/251772/germany-s-freiheit-party-joins-fray-daniel-pipes |title=Germany's Freiheit Party Joins the Fray &#124; National Review Online |website=[[National Review]] |access-date=16 December 2013 |archive-date=16 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216190625/http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/251772/germany-s-freiheit-party-joins-fray-daniel-pipes |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==International cooperation==
==International cooperation==
Freedom received support from Dutch politician [[Geert Wilders]], leader and founder of the [[Party for Freedom]], who announced his intention to include the party in his ''[[International Freedom Alliance]]'' project.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.zeit.de/2010/40/Geert-Wilders-Berlin/seite-2 |title=Geert Wilders - Ich, Retter des Abendlands |newspaper=Die Zeit |language=German |accessdate=21 July 2011}}</ref> Politician [[Oskar Freysinger]] of the [[Swiss People's Party]] gave a speech on the occasion of Freedom's founding event in [[Bavaria]].<ref name="ND"/>
Freedom received support from Dutch politician [[Geert Wilders]], leader and founder of the [[Party for Freedom]], who announced his intention to include the party in his [[International Freedom Alliance]] project.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.zeit.de/2010/40/Geert-Wilders-Berlin/seite-2 |title=Geert Wilders - Ich, Retter des Abendlands |newspaper=Die Zeit |language=de |access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> Politician [[Oskar Freysinger]] of the [[Swiss People's Party]] gave a speech on the occasion of Freedom's founding event in [[Bavaria]].<ref name="ND"/> In 2012, the party took part in a "[[Counter-jihad|Global Counter Jihad]] rally" in Stockholm, Sweden along with other groups such as [[Stop Islamization of Nations]] (SION), and party leader Michael Stürzenberger was simultaneously leader of the German section of [[Stop Islamisation of Europe]] (SIOE).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2018/01/11/what-is-counter-jihadism/|title=International counter-jihad organisations|date=11 January 2018|work=Hope not hate}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2011}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 64: Line 71:
*{{in lang|de}} [http://www.diefreiheit.org/ Freedom official website]
*{{in lang|de}} [http://www.diefreiheit.org/ Freedom official website]
*{{in lang|en}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110524062217/http://www.we-love-liberty.org/ Freedom international website]
*{{in lang|en}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110524062217/http://www.we-love-liberty.org/ Freedom international website]

{{German political parties}}
{{German political parties}}


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[[Category:Anti-Islam political parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Anti-Islam political parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Classical liberal parties]]
[[Category:Classical liberal parties]]
[[Category:Conservative liberal parties]]
[[Category:National liberal parties]]
[[Category:Direct democracy parties]]
[[Category:Direct democracy parties]]
[[Category:Eurosceptic parties in Germany]]
[[Category:Eurosceptic parties in Germany]]
[[Category:Far-right political parties in Germany]]
[[Category:Far-right political parties in Germany]]
[[Category:Immigration-critical activism in Germany]]
[[Category:Anti-immigration politics in Germany]]
[[Category:Geert Wilders]]
[[Category:Geert Wilders]]
[[Category:Opposition to Islam in Germany]]
[[Category:Anti-Islam sentiment in Germany]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2010]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2010]]
[[Category:Political parties disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Political parties disestablished in 2016]]
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[[Category:Politics of Berlin]]
[[Category:Politics of Berlin]]
[[Category:Right-wing populism in Germany]]
[[Category:Right-wing populism in Germany]]
[[Category:Counter-jihad]]

Latest revision as of 03:40, 28 October 2024

Freedom – Civil Rights Party for More Freedom and Democracy
Die Freiheit – Bürgerrechtspartei für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie
LeaderMichael Stürzenberger
ChairmanKarl Schmitt
Vice-ChairmanMarc Doll
FounderRené Stadtkewitz
Founded28 October 2010
Dissolved4 December 2016
Split fromChristian Democratic Union of Germany
Merged intoAlternative for Germany (de facto)
HeadquartersStorkower Straße 158
10407 Berlin
Ideology
Political positionFar-right[1]
International affiliationInternational Freedom Alliance
Colours    Blue and orange

Freedom – Civil Rights Party for More Freedom and Democracy (German: Die Freiheit – Bürgerrechtspartei für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie), known as The Freedom (German: Die Freiheit) for short, was a political party in Germany which identified as conservative-liberal[2] and classical liberal.[3] Described as right-wing populist,[4][5] the party was known for its criticism of Islam.[4][5]

The party was founded in October 2010 by Berlin city parliamentarian René Stadtkewitz who had been expelled from the centre-right Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) for inviting the Dutch politician Geert Wilders to Berlin. The party sought the implementation of a direct citizen democracy based on the Swiss model and extensive changes in immigration and integration policy.[6]

History

[edit]

Freedom was founded in October 2010 by René Stadtkewitz in the wake of the immigration debate spurred by the then-member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank Thilo Sarrazin.[7] The Berlin city parliamentarian Stadtkewitz was expelled from the Christian Democratic Union in 2010 after inviting Dutch politician Geert Wilders of the Party for Freedom to hold a speech in Berlin. A number of other politicians who left their respective parties joined Stadtkewitz,[8] while prominent Islam and immigration critic Thilo Sarrazin refused participation in the new party, but fought to stay in his Social Democratic Party and stated that the immigration and integration issues had to be discussed inside the major parties.[9] In June 2011, the party expanded, founding state associations in ten German states.[10][11]

The 2011 Berlin state election was the first election the party participated in. Freedom won 1.0% of the popular vote.[12]

In 2016, the party stated that its objectives had largely been adopted by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and was subsequently dissolved by its members.

Ideology

[edit]
Campaign poster for the Munich local elections 2014

Freedom identifies as a conservative-liberal[2] or classical liberal[3][13] party. Stadtkewitz himself has explained that his party would be more liberal than the FDP, less statist than the SPD and more anti-political establishment than the German Greens.[13]

Some of their core issues included:[14]

  • The introduction of direct citizen democracy based on the Swiss model.
  • Tougher measures on crime
  • The reduction of immigration to deal with integration issues.
  • Support of Israel.
  • Stricter social welfare policies.
  • Withdrawal from the European Union.
  • Combatting the "Islamisation of Germany."

The program of the party was modeled after the one of the Dutch Party for Freedom, founded and led by Geert Wilders.[9]

Some German media have variously described the party as right-wing populist,[9][15] islamophobic,[4][5] and conservative.[16]

The party called for critical observation of imams, mosques, and Islamic schools and for a review of Islamic organizations to ensure their compliance with German laws, and condemned efforts to build a parallel legal structure based on sharia.[17]

International cooperation

[edit]

Freedom received support from Dutch politician Geert Wilders, leader and founder of the Party for Freedom, who announced his intention to include the party in his International Freedom Alliance project.[18] Politician Oskar Freysinger of the Swiss People's Party gave a speech on the occasion of Freedom's founding event in Bavaria.[10] In 2012, the party took part in a "Global Counter Jihad rally" in Stockholm, Sweden along with other groups such as Stop Islamization of Nations (SION), and party leader Michael Stürzenberger was simultaneously leader of the German section of Stop Islamisation of Europe (SIOE).[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lang, Andreas. "The Austrian danger of a self-fulfilling prophecy of political and religious radicalization". Le Sursaut.
  2. ^ a b "René Stadtkewitz gründet bürgerlich-liberale Partei". Junge Freiheit (in German). 10 September 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  3. ^ a b van Bebber, Werner (10 September 2010), ""Die Freiheit" soll rechts sein, liberal – und anders als andere", Der Tagesspiegel, retrieved 22 August 2011
  4. ^ a b c Gutsch, Jochen-Martin (1 June 2011), "Riding the Wave of Islamophobia: The German Geert Wilders", Spiegel Online, retrieved 21 July 2011
  5. ^ a b c "Rechtspopulismus: Keinen Fußbreit", Die Zeit (in German), retrieved 21 July 2011
  6. ^ Bielicki, Jan (February 2011), "Anti-Islam-Partei "Die Freiheit": Geert Wilders light", Süddeutsche Zeitung, retrieved 30 August 2011
  7. ^ "A false prophet". The Economist. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  8. ^ Der Berliner Abgeordnete Rene Stadtkewitz gründet neue Bürgerrechtspartei Die Freiheit. Press release of the party. 10 Sep 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  9. ^ a b c Kensche, Christine (30 August 2011), "Der deutsche Wilders will kein Rassist sein", WELT Online, retrieved 30 August 2011
  10. ^ a b Stumberger, Rudolf (6 June 2011), ""Die Freiheit" nun auch in Bayern", Neues Deutschland (in German), retrieved 21 July 2011
  11. ^ "Proteste gegen Parteitag zur Gründung von Die Freiheit in Hessen", nh24.de (in German), 6 June 2011, archived from the original on 23 August 2011, retrieved 21 July 2011
  12. ^ "Home". wahlen-berlin.de.
  13. ^ a b "Islamgegner Wilders plant Rede in Berlin", Der Tagesspiegel, 20 September 2010
  14. ^ Presentation of the party platform on DieFreiheit.org Archived 9 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Obdachlose Rechtspopulisten", Süddeutsche Zeitung, 11 January 2011, retrieved 30 August 2011
  16. ^ "Wer verbirgt sich hinter der neuen konservativen Partei "Die Freiheit"?", Focus Online, retrieved 22 August 2011
  17. ^ "Germany's Freiheit Party Joins the Fray | National Review Online". National Review. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  18. ^ "Geert Wilders - Ich, Retter des Abendlands", Die Zeit (in German), retrieved 21 July 2011
  19. ^ "International counter-jihad organisations". Hope not hate. 11 January 2018.
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