On the headlines – German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock being interviewed by Martin Knobbe and Christoph Schult:

‘‘DER SPIEGEL: Instead, Merz is making life difficult for your government and insisting on tightening asylum policy. Does that bother you? Baerbock: You cannot fight terrorism in panic mode. In such a heated situation, in which our democracy is facing challenges both from within and without, we need nuance rather than broad generalizations. Proposals that may sound tough, but which cannot be implemented because they would violate our constitution or European law, might be appropriate for populist headlines, but they do nothing to make our country any safer. On the contrary, they play into the hands of extremists – both Islamists and right-wing extremists – because they divide our society.’

DER SPIEGEL: What exactly are you referring to? Baerbock: The dividing line when it comes to fighting extremism doesn’t run between those who were born here and those who moved here, but between those who have both their feet firmly on the ground of our constitution, and those who don’t. It is inexplicable to me what the point is of proposals that target all Syrians across the board and make no differentiation between an Islamist murderer and a family that had to flee Syria to escape Islamic State. A liberal society must have the strength to say clearly and unambiguously in a single breath: Violent criminals who oppose our liberal democratic society have forfeited their right to protection. And say just as clearly: Children who have been going to school here for years and whose parents who work here – whether in nursing or in industry – belong to Germany.’

Read the article here.

Fighting foreigners in the guise of fighting extremism is a popular pastime of too many politicians and political parties.

Another question is whether divisions are not inevitable part of any open, liberal society.

Unfortunately, the need for scape goats is as huge as ever.