German Unity Day – Chancellor Scholz: Unity is a success story

Central celebration of German Unity Day in Schwerin. (picture alliance / dpa / dpa POOL / Jens Büttner)

Looking at the recent state elections in the east and the strong performance of the AfD, the Chancellor said that a lot of hard work would be needed to reverse this development. He emphasized that the great majority of Germany stands firmly on the basis of the basic free order. “This center is much bigger than the radical fringes.”

Thierse calls for a commitment to democracy

Former President of the Bundestag and East German civil rights activist Thierse called for more exchange between the West and the East. We still have to work on economic and social differences, the SPD politician said on Deutschlandfunk. The differences between the two systems, the GDR and the Federal Republic, are still influential today. Thierse particularly liked people in the East to commit more to democracy and less reliance on authoritarian forces.

Schwesig calls for solidarity

The Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Federal Council President Schwesig, emphasized that not much had changed with the unity of the people in the West, but that almost everything had changed for the people of the East. She called for the East to be more visible “in debates, in leadership positions, in business and in society.” Given the strong polarization in politics and society, it is necessary to come together more closely again.

Motto: “Sail as one”

This year, West Mecklenburg-Pomerania is hosting a celebration of unity under the slogan “Set sail as one”. The ceremony took place in the Mecklenburg State Theatre. Federal President Steinmeier, Bundestag President Bas and many members of the Federal Cabinet were present. Citizens from all federal states who volunteer were also invited.

There will be three days of celebration in Schwerin, including open-air concerts.

This message was sent on October 3, 2024 on the Deutschlandfunk program.