Not much euphoria, rather anxious tones: it is the day of German unity, but the fear of division, war and crisis resonates at the central celebration in Erfurt.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), still pale and gaunt after his corona quarantine, once again tried former Chancellor Willy Brandt with the sentence that what belongs together grows together – then he spoke about the consequences of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and tried to address energy concerns to dampen the people. Both are weighing on the country and politics 32 years after unification.
As usual, the speeches emphasized community and solidarity on this holiday, but there were also concerns about drifting apart again: “Whether it’s the corona pandemic or energy shortages – the crises of the time show what wasn’t right before and bring the existing differences into focus Light from the headlights,” said Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow. The economic structure, the world of work and the way of life are about to change.
Numerous demonstrations planned
“That triggers fears and worries in many people,” said the left-wing politician, who is also currently President of the Federal Council. He probably also had the demonstrations in mind, which were also planned in many places in East Germany on the day of German unity. In Erfurt itself, the highest level of security applied, so protests were hardly to be expected.
But in Gera, Thuringia alone, the police were expecting several thousand people on the street. In Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Berlin – things are bubbling up everywhere these days. Not only in the East, but above all there, where a feeling of being left behind, of alienation and disappointment remains – even 32 years after reunification.
Bas sees cohesion in danger
Bundestag President Bärbel Bas made it clear that this is also viewed with concern in the west of the country. She, the West German, who, according to her own words, experienced the fall of the Wall in Duisburg, gave the speech at the Erfurt Theater. And she had a central message: stick together in the crisis, don’t get angry, settle disputes democratically. “How we treat each other is a major factor in determining the strength of our country,” said the SPD politician.
She spoke of attempts at division, fake news, hatred and agitation that would endanger this cohesion. “It is necessary for us to talk to each other, especially about sensitive issues such as compulsory vaccination or arms deliveries,” said Bas. Democratic disputes lead to solutions. “But understanding and respect cannot thrive in a poisoned atmosphere.” She made a simple appeal to citizens: “I wish for less anger and more respect, less bossiness and more curiosity, less prejudice and more empathy.”
Will that reach those who are dissatisfied, those who doubt the system? Many speakers in Erfurt invoked what had been achieved, the great achievements of unity, the renovated inner cities and freedom. But there is also reason for frustration after three decades of East-West alignment – or non-alignment.
Ostländer bosses warn against relegation
East German prime ministers see the danger that the energy crisis will jeopardize the successes in building East Germany. Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and Saxony-Anhalt’s Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU) also pointed out the concerns of many East Germans about the loss of what they had worked so hard to build. Many East Germans still have very clear memories of the major structural breaks with mass unemployment in the 1990s, Woidke told the “Rheinische Post”.
Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) tried to look ahead. It is time to shape the new era together, he told the RND. “This war will be an incision that will go down in the collective memory of the Germans as a common bitter experience.”
People flock to Erfurt
Traditionally, the federal state that provides the president of the state chamber organizes the central unity celebration. Thuringia’s state capital Erfurt had been preparing for the central unity celebration for months – historic buildings in the 1280-year-old city are illuminated by artists, there is live music on almost every corner, bands and choirs perform on stages, the pavilions of the 16 federal states are crowded the people with hands-on offers.
After a rainy start to the three-day public festival, the influx grew steadily until Monday: Ramelow spoke of 90,000 visitors by Sunday alone. Tens of thousands celebrate unity in Erfurt – not as a celebration, but as a festival.
