Ina Scharrenbach’s gift was given at the very end. When the Minister for Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Construction and Digitalization (CDU) came to the end of her speech, she once again expressed the thanks of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to the city of Eschweiler for its achievements after the flood disaster on the 14th and 15th July 2021 to formulate: “The administration has also achieved extraordinary things for the citizens of this city in 2023.”
And Scharrenbach didn’t stop at words: She brought a grant for 450,000 euros to the New Year’s reception in the Eschweiler town hall – as a non-repayable grant for the municipal staffing needs and “for free use”.
In her speech in Eschweiler, Minister Ina Scharrenbach also took a position on the protests against the right. Photo: Michael Grobusch
Under one condition, however: “If you would please sign this for me now.” The friendly request went to Nadine Leonhardt. And the mayor (SPD) complied immediately, accompanied by applause from around 200 invited guests – at the lectern.
Eschweiler is one of the numerous municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia that have major financial concerns because, in addition to the unfavorable economic and global political conditions, they also have to compensate for the consequences of the flood. Against this background, the state government made available unscheduled funds totaling ten million euros at the end of last year, which are intended to benefit 27 municipalities that were particularly badly affected by the flood disaster. But that’s not all: Eschweiler has the effects of the devastating explosion on March 30, 2023 in Neustrasse as an additional mortgage.
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Shortly before Christmas, Ina Scharrenbach had already presented Mayor Patrick Haas (SPD) with a check for the same amount during a visit to Stolberg city center and referred to the enormous stress that city employees have been exposed to since mid-July 2021. “The population cannot see the additional effort and the amount of overtime. Everyone in the city administration worked their butts off,” Scharrenbach chose clear words that day.
The choir “Lautstark” with its director Elena Sibirtseva provided the musical setting for the New Year’s reception in the city of Eschweiler. Photo: Michael Grobusch
She also did this in her speech at the New Year’s reception in Eschweiler, in which, among other things, she addressed the current challenges and burdens on the cities and communities and the changes that are necessary, but which nevertheless trigger fears that need to be taken seriously.
The minister also took up the demonstrations against right-wing tendencies in society and against the AfD that were taking place in many German cities this weekend. “A democracy without people is defenseless. That’s why it makes me positive that so many people are now taking to the streets for our democracy.” And then she added: “To be honest: brown will remain brown. But we don’t need brown.”
Frankly speaking: brown remains brown. But we don’t need brown.
Ina Scharrenbach
State Minister and guest speaker in Eschweiler
Nadine Leonhardt had previously addressed the topic: “In the past few months, the forces that want to tear us apart as a society and threaten our democracy have grown stronger. Gallows are not arguments for democracy, graffiti are not arguments for democracy, threats and insults are not arguments for democracy. This kind of undemocratic debate poisons us as a society.”
Rally against the right on January 27th
The independent voting group “Soziales Eschweiler”, which was newly founded at the end of last year, is inviting people to a rally next Saturday, January 27th, from 10 a.m. in front of the Trinity Church on Moltkestrasse in Eschweiler. The motto is “Eschweiler stands together! United against discrimination and hate, continue for a colorful and tolerant city!”
“We are calling on citizens on a non-partisan basis to send a clear signal against the right in our city: ‘Be loud, be colorful’,” explains board spokesman Christian Wiese.
And the mayor combined these remarks with an appeal for which she received long-lasting applause: “It is up to us not to allow this development to continue. It is up to all of us not to let radical forces destroy our democracy and our way of living together here in Eschweiler.”
Mayor Nadine Leonhardt received long applause for her speech. Photo: Michael Grobusch
2024-01-21 11:06:38
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