Democratic socialism needs majorities, not walls
The chairmen of DIE LINKE, Gesine Lötzsch and Klaus Ernst, declared, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall on August 13, 1961:
The complete closure of the border to West Berlin on 13 August 1961 and the subsequent construction of the Wall were used to preserve the political system of the GDR. The GDR's leadership thus acknowledged that they could not win the battle of the systems with open boundaries, and decided to limit the ongoing stream of refugees by closing the border. The dead and injured on the Berlin Wall, the restriction on freedom of travel and the separation of countless families have been deeply burned in the peoples minds. This was an unacceptable injustice. We regret the tragic fate suffered by many people. The PDS has apologized after the regime change to the citizens of East Germany and come to terms with its history.
For DIE LINKE the 50th Anniversary of the Wall is an occasion to confirm the founding consensus of our party. Freedom and equality, socialism and democracy, human rights and justice are indivisible for us. We renew the unmistakable clarification of the national leadership of the PDS from the year 2001: "Neither higher ideology, nor purpose can politically justify the injustice associated with the wall, the systematic restriction of movement and the threat to freedom, life and body while trying to leave the country." The lesson from the building of the wall is clear: Democratic Socialism needs majorities and can not be enforced.
The Berlin Wall was a worldwide symbol of Germany's division and the splitting of Europe. The division of Germany was a result of the Second World War. The Wall was also a product of the Cold War and the new bipolar world order of East and West established after the Second World War. Europe was divided between the victorious powers. The division of Germany and Berlin was sealed and was also promoted by the Western powers.
Until today, DIE LINKE has to abide by the legacy of the Wall. The concept of socialism has been abused and discredited. This is still used to discredit any search for basic alternatives. For our own credibility, a clear and unequivocal positioning of DIE LINKE on this issue is essential.