Introducing the “Leonhard Circle”

“Only where political power is decentralised, democratically limited, and manageable can the free participation of individuals be guaranteed.”

(21 November 2025) (CH-S) It is not only the founding of the “Freedom of Speech Alliance” (www.buendnisredefreiheit.ch) for Switzerland and Germany that has attracted attention recently. In Zurich, another high-profile association has presented itself to the public, which also represents the concerns of citizens against increasingly intrusive statehood:

Ueli Maurer (former Federal Councillor, SVP), Thilo Sarrazin (former Finance Senator of Berlin, ex-SPD) and Hans Georg Maassen (former German President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) presented the “Leonhard Circle” to a wider public on 27 October.1 This is an urgently needed step against the creeping decline of civic spirit, the rule of law, and the desire for peace beyond Switzerland’s borders.

The Leonhard Circle’s self-description on its website is worth reading:

“We develop our positions based on the conviction that the most important task of the state is to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.

The Leonhard Circle is politically and religiously neutral and does not participate in elections. Through journalistic work in word, image, and sound, as well as through lectures and events, the association aims to contribute to the political education of society. On the basis of mutual respect and tolerance, it strives for constructive cooperation among all participants to achieve the following main objectives (as laid down in the STATUTES):

1. The protection of the free and democratic constitutional state

2. The preservation of individual fundamental rights and freedoms

3. The commitment to an economic and fiscal policy that serves the overall economic interest

4. The preservation of peace through the promotion of international understanding

5. The protection of natural resources

In our MANIFESTO, we make it clear that even after the end of the coronavirus policy in our communities in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, a multitude of symptoms are evident that indicate that human rights and democratic participation rights are significantly endangered by transnational dictatorial tendencies. In Western societies, increasingly centralised political action threatens to run counter to the interests of the vast majority of the population. The program of this state of usurpation that we have diagnosed is exemplified in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030. We have concluded that elections alone cannot correct the imbalances at present. With a view to restoring the rule of law and democratic participation, we consider it necessary to educate citizens about developments and guide them toward peaceful resistance.

Through public relations work and training events organised by the Leonhard Circle, all forces willing to build something new should be brought together and individuals effectively empowered to force the political and economic elites to rethink their positions.

What have we observed?

The implementation of a scientifically unfounded and ineffective climate policy is destroying our economic power and damaging the environment without changing the global climate. Rather, unnecessary measures based on the false assumption of anthropogenic climate change have led to the neglect of proper environmental protection. Around the world, we are seeing increasing destruction of the environment, for example through heavy metals or plastic.

Combating agriculture through regulation and legal renaturation requirements results in a reduction in agricultural production capacity and a simultaneous increase in hunger worldwide.

In the US and Western Europe, open border policies with mass immigration into social welfare systems are jeopardizing internal security and the performance of the welfare state. Total cultural heterogenisation is undermining political decision-making. The welfare state is also declining due to demographic developments, which are being addressed not through reforms but through debt and the exploitation of the working population.

Pandemic policies are suspending human rights – in the absence of relevant pandemic health risks.

Government debt, inflation, and the erosion of real economic performance have increased rapidly.

(Online) censorship of interactive and non-interactive media is severely restricting freedom of expression.

Education and science are subject to Agenda 2030 politicisation and censorship.

A policy of war is being pursued against our essential trading partner Russia without any necessity, and the best alternatives for understanding and partnership are being ignored; in addition, there is irresponsible warmongering in other international theatres of war and crisis hotspots.

Identity politics of small special interest groups counteracts the political implementation process in the interests of the bottom 90%.

Political power has been shifted to non-democratic transnational organisations that work through Agenda 2030 in favour of large investors and corporations (private-public partnerships).

We say yes to democratically supported federalism with clearly defined rules

A community built from the bottom up ensures maximum participation for the individual. Only where political power is decentralised, democratically limited, and manageable can the free participation of the individual be guaranteed.

The exercise of innovative creativity, a sense of responsibility, and parsimony provides the best conditions for a healthy national budget.

We justify our yes to a free economic order

The state should regulate without hindering entrepreneurial performance; it must create free and progressive framework conditions for the economy. This can be achieved through appropriate educational support, legal certainty, the reduction of bureaucracy, favourable taxation, and a monetary and fiscal policy aiming at being debt-free.

Only if our country can hold its own in international competition can prosperity be secured. To remain competitive, the economy needs a free scope in which it can develop on its ethical foundations.

We live our yes to personal responsibility and personal commitment

The personal commitment of each individual is of great importance. Each individual is responsible for themselves. The state must protect this personal freedom and, at the same time, provide targeted assistance through the proper use of social systems to alleviate hardship and poverty.

Freedom also means responsibility and fulfilling one’s duties; freedom is also a service to the community. A free society depends on women and men who are willing to work selflessly for the country and its independence.

In a community where diversity is respected, freedom finds its limits where the freedom of one person affects the freedom of another.

We trust in the values that have made Europe economically and culturally strong

What is currently manifesting itself in a breakdown of social cohesion and economic problems, is an expression of a deeper crisis. A return to original European values, including competition, science, and work ethic, can bring renewed prosperity to our countries. We see it as our special mission to commit state power to respecting and defending fundamental rights and freedoms.

We act and encourage civil courage

Free, responsible, and discerning citizens form the sovereign.

Let us therefore all have the courage to defend our rights and freedoms and to demand that those in power, politicians, officials, and others who are guilty of denying fundamental rights and thus of crimes against humanity be held accountable for their actions through criminal prosecution.

Those who identify with the association’s goals can, through their membership in the Leonhard Circle, help ensure that it is not those in power or global agendas that determine our civil liberties. These rights are absolutely inalienable and belong to every human being, regardless of status or external circumstances.

The Leonard Circle represents a Europe-wide awakening in the fight for the civil rights of the individual. “Only where political power is decentralised, democratically limited, and manageable can the free participation of the individual be guaranteed.”

Source: https://leonhard-kreis.ch/, Leonhard Kreis, Postfach, 8021 Zürich, info@leonhard-kreis.ch

(Translation “Swiss Standpoint”)

1 About the name: “Saint Leonard, patron saint of prisoners and ‘chain saint’, inspires our name and our mission: liberation from unjust shackles and the protection of individual freedoms.”