Angela Merkel warns against social division in Leipzig speech

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued a warning against populist attempts to divide German society. Speaking at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig during the presentation of the International Mendelssohn Prize in the Europe category, Merkel criticized political forces that attempt to create hierarchies among citizens.

Merkel argued that populist parties try to incite hatred and envy by distinguishing between different groups of people based on their origin or the length of their citizenship. She emphasized the democratic principle that all power stems from the people, asserting that “the people are all German citizens,” regardless of whether they originate from the former GDR or were recently naturalized from countries such as Syria.

The award ceremony also honored clarinetist, conductor, and composer Jörg Widmann in the music category.