Violent dispute over freedom of expression: Palmer vs. Urner near Lanz!

Violent dispute over freedom of expression: Palmer vs. Urner near Lanz!

Tübingen, Deutschland - On May 30, 2025, a heated debate about freedom of expression took place in Markus Lanz's talk show. The focus of the dispute was Boris Palmer, the mayor of Tübingen, and the neuroscientist Maren Urner. The discussion spoke when Urner emphasized that the feeling of many Germans, freedom of expression was in danger, was to be regarded as deception. She referred to a study of 2023, which showed that only 40 percent of the respondents in Germany believe in the possibility of being able to express their opinion freely, while Palmer explained that he regularly struggled with shitstorms when he expresses his opinions. , on the other hand, freely manifests itself on topics such as climate protection or equality.

The reasons for this reluctance are complex. For example, only 18 percent of those surveyed express themselves openly on the Internet, which is often attributed to the rough tone and the spread of extreme views. This could be an explanation for why Palmer often feels excluded from the broad social debate.

legal foundations of freedom of expression

In Germany, freedom of expression is protected by the Basic Law, but it is also pointed out that there are limits. For example, sedition is prohibited and it is not allowed to perform uniformed in meetings or with weapons. Experts emphasize that extreme opinions may be expressed, but must be observed to protect the rights and compliance with the legal order.

In the current political landscape, the debate about freedom of expression has a high level of relevance. The dispute in the talk show between Palmer and Urner is an example of how polarized the topic is perceived in society. Palmer, who has been in office since 2007 and was recently elected as a non -party candidate in October 2022, is known for his polarizing statements and controversy. His exit from the Greens in May 2023 further fueled the discussion about his positions.