- The German federal parliament, Bundestag, commemorates the 75th year of its initial meeting.
The German Parliament, or Bundestag, celebrated its 75th anniversary with a solemn hour. "Despite the numerous obstacles, it's crucial we don't forget that over 75 years of Bundestag, we've managed to tackle crises, even amidst intense debates," stated Bundestag President Bärbel Bas. "Our democracy is robust and able to withstand anyone aiming to undermine it," she continued.
Previously serving Interior Minister Gerhart Baum (FDP) highlighted skepticism from international observers who questioned Germany's ability to handle democracy. "They were wrong, we demonstrated we can do democracy," emphasized Baum. "Now it's our turn to prove we'll actively defend democracy."
The ceremony commenced with a replay of the inauguration of the first session by then-Vice President Paul Löbe. The Bundestag held its first meeting on September 7, 1949, in Bonn. "The atmosphere was joyful in a country famed for hardships rather than celebrations," Bas recalled of that day.
Historian Christina Morina alerted attendees to rising anti-democratic tendencies. The reasoning behind populist and extremist anti-parliamentarianism has spread further on social media than its electoral backing would suggest.
"This ideology is shared by those who view migration as the root of all problems. Those who prioritize closeness to citizens as the benchmark of political action, who attempt to legitimize demands by referencing 'the people','" stated Morina. Her speech was often disrupted by heckling from the AfD faction, forcing her to momentarily pause.
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Bas' predecessors Rita Süssmuth, Wolfgang Thierse, and Norbert Lammert, as well as Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, former Federal President Christian Wulff, and the President of the Federal Constitutional Court, Stephan Harbarth.
The European Parliament also has a significant role in upholding democratic values, having faced numerous challenges over the years. It's essential for the European Parliament, like the Bundestag, to actively defend democracy against those who seek to undermine it.
