Peter Gauweiler: From CSU Hardliner to Peace Activist

Peter Gauweiler, a former hardliner in the Christian Social Union (CSU), has recently appeared at peace demonstrations alongside Sahra Wagenknecht and Oskar Lafontaine, and has been accused of downplaying Putin. In an interview with der Freitag, Gauweiler explains his motivation: he was invited by Wagenknecht and Lafontaine, whom he calls old friends, and he had never spoken at a peace movement rally before. He signed the 'Manifest für den Frieden' and spoke at peace policy demonstrations in Berlin in 2024. The interview is part of a series on pacifism, which previously had not featured a conservative voice. Gauweiler, a lawyer, was once considered a tough CSU figure but increasingly clashed with his party. The interview explores his transformation into a 'national pacifist' and his views on the left-wing establishment's support for war as a political means.