Government formation: Negotiators of the Union and SPD apparently agree on migration rights

Before the constituent meeting of the new Bundestag, many MPs gathered on Tuesday morning at an ecumenical service in Berlin. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and members of the outgoing government also came to the Catholic St. Hedwigs-Cathedral, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil and Minister of Development Svenja Schulze (all SPD). Among the service visitors were also numerous representatives of the Union such as CDU boss Friedrich Merz and CSU national group leader Alexander Dobrindt.

Traditionally, the churches invite you to a service before the constitution of the parliament. It is designed by the lines of the Berlin offices of the churches, the Evangelical Prelatin Anne Gidion and her Catholic colleague Karl Jüsten.

Jüsten called up the politicians in his sermon to fill out the mandate or office in such a way that the trust relationship with the voters can “grow”. Experience teaches that you will trust democracy when “a demanding ethos is lived and if the results of the parliament can be seen”.

Gidion said the churches wanted to help create places that convey to the MPs “that they are more than what they do, more than the clicks and applause, more than the office and the filled calendar”. The churches offer services and devotions, other events such as breakfast breakfasts “and statements that sometimes find and sometimes help unnecessary,” said Gidion and received some smile faces. In January, the churches had caused a sensation with a critical statement on the Union asylum course.