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Erika SteinbachGerman politician
Date of Birth: 25.07.1943
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Erika Steinbach: A Vocal German Politician
- Political Views and Activism
- Controversy and Criticism
- Evolution of Stances
- Views on German Responsibility
Erika Steinbach: A Vocal German Politician
Early Life and FamilyErika Steinbach, born in Rumia, Poland (then occupied by Nazi Germany), is the daughter of Wehrmacht soldier Wilhelm Karl German and Erika German (née Grote). Her family's roots trace back to Lower Silesia.
Political Views and Activism
Since 1985, Steinbach has been an active member of the German-Israeli Society. As a member of the Bundestag, she has been the spokesperson for human rights and humanitarian aid for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.
Controversy and Criticism
Steinbach's role as the head of the Union of Expellees, advocating for the rights of Germans displaced from Eastern Prussia, Silesia, and other regions after World War II, has garnered heated criticism from Poland and the Czech Republic. Her opposition to Poland and the Czech Republic joining the European Union, conditional upon reparations or the right of return for expelled Germans, further strained relations between Germany and those countries.
Evolution of Stances
Steinbach later revised her stances and took on the patronage of Yulia Tymoshenko, imprisoned in Ukraine in 2012. She has also expressed reservations about Chancellor Merkel attending the 70th anniversary of Victory Day in Moscow, questioning the need for gratitude towards the Red Army for liberating Germany from fascism.
Views on German Responsibility
Steinbach believes Germany acknowledges its historical responsibility and has acted honorably, rejecting the notion that the country should bear a sense of guilt towards Russia.
