The leaders of Germany and France celebrated together on Monday 35 years of German reunification and German Unity Day, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe must do more against illiberal, anti-immigration parties that are climbing in opinion polls, partly succeeding in reviving the continent's ailing economy.
"New alliances of autocrats are forming against us and attacking liberal democracy as a way of life," Merz told an audience at a celebration in the city of Saarbrucken, on the French border.
"Faced with the returning "enlightenment of the dark forces" (...) for us there is also a path to a new enlightenment," Macron said, quoted by Reuters. He pointed out that this new enlightenment comes from loving culture, music, literature, discussions and debates, believing that respect and knowledge are stronger than hatred and anger.
Merz warned that the European Union's economic problems have led to the formation of far-right nationalist parties that offer radical solutions that are contrary to democracy.
"Years of illegal and undirected immigration in Germany have polarized the country," Merz said, calling on the country's citizens to realize how valuable it is to live in a democracy with the rule of law. "Politics, the state, the government bear their responsibility", the chancellor said.
"But the extent of the challenge must be understood by all of us, by every citizen of our country", Merz added, quoted by Reuters.
Macron, in turn, called for democracy in Europe to be protected and gave the Franco-German friendship as an example, DPA reported.
After centuries of conflict, neighbors France and Germany are now partners, he noted.
"War between us no longer exists", Macron said, defining bilateral relations as "a great achievement for today's Europe".
The main celebrations on the occasion of the Day of German Unity are held every year in a different German state, and this year it is the turn of Saarland. Macron was the guest of honor at the event.
The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) united on October 3, 1990, with the united Germany adopting the name of the FRG.
In his 30-minute speech, Macron pointed out that war had nevertheless returned to the continent, considering Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on for over three and a half years.
"Unfortunately, we once again find ourselves in a time of confrontation. Faced with it, we managed to remain united," the French head of state said.
He drew attention to the fact that for the first time Europe is shaping itself as a military power - but not to wage war, but to defend its territory and values.
Macron warned that European democracy is under pressure not only from external threats, but also from within, pointing out that trust in governments is declining and doubts about compliance with the rule of law are increasing.
Respectful public debate has given way to a hate-filled dispute fueled by social media, the French president emphasized.
"If we, the Europeans, do not wake up and say: "We want to take back control of our democracy," then I can tell you that in ten years all those who act according to this scheme will be winners," Macron continued.
"And we will be a continent like all the others - overflowing with conspiracy theorists, extremists, noise and anger," he summed up.