Press
The Basic Law has been in existence for 75 years. To mark the anniversary, the government district is transformed into a festival ground. The Chancellor answers citizens’ questions in a relaxed manner.
Berlin – Free cocktails in the black, red and gold colors of Germany and ice cream rolls blue like the flag of the European Union: On the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law, the federal government is being generous.
The three-day democracy festival already began with the celebration of the anniversary, which attracted countless people to Berlin’s government district. After the opening ceremony for the political celebrities, including a speech by the Federal President, the citizens can now celebrate “their” Basic Law.
Chancellor in citizen dialogue
One of the main attractions of the first day was the Chancellor. Olaf Scholz (SPD) took an hour to answer questions on stage during the Citizens’ Dialogue. The Hanseatic citizen was un-Hanseatic in his relaxed manner. “I’ve already been there,” he interrupted when a questioner introduced herself by saying that she was from Bielefeld – “yes, the city that really exists.” Scholz obviously liked what the woman then said about her voluntary work, and at least he said: “I might use your contribution again in the Bundestag, if you allow me to.”
Scholz, on the other hand, showed less understanding for a questioner who claimed that people are increasingly less able to express their opinions freely. The Chancellor countered that this does not apply to Germany. “In Germany, you can freely express your opinion. In particular, you can freely say that you cannot freely express your opinion.” Whether you eat currywurst or not, whether you use gender-neutral language or not – everyone can say that openly.
Scholz then immediately claimed this for himself: “I can no longer hear the debate about gender or non-gender. Everyone should do it the way they want.” Anyone who missed this citizens’ dialogue will have another opportunity to talk to the Chancellor on Sunday.
Many of his cabinet members, such as Economics Minister Robert Habeck, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens), Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) also want to answer citizens’ questions.
Foosball table, stands and a wheel of fortune
The government district offered an unusual sight: Small and large tents were set up on the extensive area on the Spree around the Federal Chancellery and the Paul Löbe House of the Bundestag. Aid organizations, unions and non-profit organizations will be presenting their work there until Sunday. The federal government will be represented with large stands and will provide information about its work.
But it’s not just about serious politics. The Interior Ministry, which is also responsible for sport, has a soccer table, the Family Ministry lets you print your own T-shirts, and the Finance Ministry spins a wheel of fortune to find out what the term inflation means.
An eleven-year-old girl from Baden-Württemberg proudly waved her “diplomatic passport,” which the Foreign Office had issued with stamps for travel to Brazil, Australia and France. A popular selfie motif was the life-size figure of “Freddi, the family eagle,” which waddle through the rows.
And the “Lucky Cops”, a mobile band from the Hanover Federal Police, entertained with lively music while guests chilled in deck chairs in the sunshine and summer warmth. To conclude on Sunday evening, Germany’s last ESC winner Lena Meyer-Landrut and the band Die Fantastischen Vier will perform.
Celebration also in Bonn
The democracy festival celebrating the Basic Law has a bit of a folk festival and open-air feel to it. Tomorrow, the proclamation of the constitution 75 years ago will be commemorated not only in Berlin, but also at the old seat of government in Bonn. There, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will open his second official residence, Villa Hammerschmidt, to the public.
On Sunday afternoon, he plans to visit the Democracy Festival in Berlin with a political celebrity – French President Emmanuel Macron, who begins his state visit to Germany that day. dpa
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