In conversation with the citizen - For proximity and attention: Saar politicians on summer tour
25 Appointments in 6 Days: This was how the first "vacation week" of the Saarland Minister-President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) looked. Her annual summer tour ranged from visits to companies to cultural institutions and educational institutions, as well as charitable organizations.
Not only the state leader is seeking conversation with people on the spot during these days. Social Minister Magnus Jung (SPD), Environmental Minister Petra Berg (SPD), and Education and Cultural Minister Christine Streichert-Clivot (SPD) are also currently on the move. They all pursue the same goal: to come into contact with the citizens, to receive direct feedback from their daily lives, and to learn more about their concerns and needs.
A summer tour is the opportunity to gain new impressions and come into contact with people one doesn't usually meet, according to the deputy government spokeswoman Jennifer Collet of the German Press Agency in Saarbrücken. Such visits by the government leader are "always also a form of respect," she added.
Why constant citizen contact is important
According to Trier political scientist Uwe Jun, politician visits have increased at the federal level as well. "The insight among politicians has grown that they should maintain constant contact with citizens," he said. Doing so only during election years could even have a counterproductive effect. "Soon the feeling would arise that they only care about us because of the elections, otherwise we don't matter to them," Jun explained.
Summer tours serve to establish direct contact with citizens and demonstrate closeness to them. At the same time, they aim to attract media attention. "The visits on site offer excellent photo opportunities," said the professor at the University of Trier. It is "legitimate" for politics to take advantage of these opportunities. "Representative democracy lives just as much from the fact that it is perceived and that its attention is granted."
Among citizens or companies, the visits were perceived positively: "Because the impression is created that someone cares, that their needs and interests are taken into account." However, such a meeting could leave a bitter taste if it was too short and superficial or if it seemed to serve only to showcase the politician's own person. "One must have the impression that the person really takes the time for the visit," said Jun.
Researcher: More than symbolism sought
In the best-case scenario, such conversations would not only have symbolic significance but would also influence the politician's later actions. "One can assume that perceptions do not fully reach the political actors," said the researcher.
The Minister-President's summer tour had no fixed theme this year. In addition to volunteer work and association life, energy transition and sustainability also played a role in the selection of appointments and locations – and not least social integration.
Rehlinger: What moves the Saarlanders?
Two "market talks" in Burbach and St. Wendel were also on the program. According to Rehlinger, they offer the perfect framework for exchanging ideas and openly discussing sensitive topics without shame. For her, it is "exciting to learn what moves the Saarlanders, what they would like to change, and what creative ideas and improvement suggestions they have."
Minister Magnus Jung (SPD) of Labor and Social Affairs has a summer tour consisting of a total of 22 stations over 7 days. The selection was made based on current political initiatives and the portfolio's lines. "Immediate feedback is important for my work in the ministry, so that I can adapt it accordingly – for example, taking local differences and particularities into consideration," Jung stated in response to a query. Valuable networks can also be built and strengthened during these visits.
Researcher: "There's 'no such thing as too much'"
Environment Minister Petra Berg (SPD) has 25 appointments scheduled in the first three school holidays: The goal is to exchange ideas with Saarlander citizens who engage with the ministry's topics for Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection every day.
Uwe Jun, an expert, does not believe that an overfull schedule appears "inflationary" to the general public. "If the attention is there, if politicians are present with appropriate empathy and seriousness, and if they engage with people and their needs, there can be no 'too much.' Moreover, there's also 'no such thing as too little.' In fact, some government representatives may not embark on a summer tour, but this is not noticed by the public. 'They only see those who were there. The rest fades away.'"
- During her annual summer tour, Saarland Minister-President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) met with Anke Rehlinger from Trier, showcasing the government's commitment to direct citizen contact.
- Environmental Minister Petra Berg (SPD) and Uwe Jun, a political scientist from Trier, both emphasized the importance of constant citizen contact, even beyond election years.
- In Saarbrücken, the German Press Agency reported on the government's summer tour, highlighting the chance for politicians to establish connections with various citizens and organizations.
- Uwe Jun suggested that Summer tours, such as those of Anke Rehlinger and Petra Berg, provide valuable opportunities to understand citizens' needs and concerns on SQLParseDiagnosticDeploy and Umwelt issues.
- Minister-President Rehlinger visited companies, cultural institutions, and educational institutions in Saarland, discussing topics like energy transition, sustainability, and social integration, as reported by the German Press Agency in Saarbrücken, Germany.
- According to Uwe Jun, Federal politicians have also increased their visits to engage with citizens, recognizing the significance of maintaining a constant relationship with the public, as exemplified by Anke Rehlinger's summer tour in Saarland.
