Statue Honoring Walter Lübcke Installed at CDU Headquarters Without Family's Involvement
A bronze statue commemorating the late Walter Lübcke, a former CDU politician who was murdered by a right-wing extremist, was recently installed in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party headquarters in Berlin. The initiative, led by the Center for Political Beauty (ZPS), was authorized by the local authorities in Berlin-Mitte. However, the family of Walter Lübcke was not actively consulted or involved in the planning or execution of the installation.
The Berlin-Mitte district office granted the necessary approvals for the statue's placement based on information provided by the ZPS. According to the documentation submitted by the activists, the family had been informed about the project in advance and had expressed a desire not to engage with the public or respond to media inquiries. The district office did not independently verify these claims with the family nor did it request a direct statement from them regarding the installation.
Following the unveiling of the statue, Walter Lübcke's family issued a public statement clarifying their position. They acknowledged the importance of honoring Lübcke's memory and the need to reinforce Germany's democratic principles and to reject right-wing extremism. Nevertheless, the family stressed that they had not been included in the planning or execution of the statue and expressed concern that the public might misinterpret their level of involvement. The family emphasized the importance of early, transparent, and respectful communication when memorial projects concern the legacy of their loved one.
The ZPS responded to the family's comments by stating that they took the feedback seriously. The group maintained that they had never claimed the family was directly part of the project or had officially approved the statue. Instead, the activists asserted that they had merely provided the family with prior notice regarding the initiative. The ZPS also indicated that they did not intend to engage in public disputes with the family about the process.
The statue was installed on a Tuesday by the ZPS in front of the CDU's Konrad-Adenauer-Haus. The group explained that the memorial aimed to remind the CDU of its responsibility not to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The activists linked the statue to ongoing discussions about political alliances and the defense of democratic values in Germany.
Political leaders responded critically to the installation. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a member of the CDU, described the action as inappropriate, while Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner echoed this sentiment, arguing that using the memory of a politician murdered by a right-wing extremist for political purposes was in poor taste. Both leaders underscored the gravity of Lübcke's murder and the need to prevent its exploitation for political statements or demonstrations.
Walter Lübcke was assassinated in June 2019 at his residence in northern Hesse by a perpetrator motivated by opposition to Lübcke's stance on migration policy. The convicted murderer is currently serving a life sentence for the crime. The case has had a significant impact on public debate in Germany, especially concerning the threats posed by right-wing extremism and the protection of public officials.