Steinmeier's visit to Stendal: A dialogue with civil society
Steinmeier's visit to Stendal: A dialogue with civil society
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier came to Stendal for a three-day visit, a city in Saxony-Anhalt to talk to the people on site. In a so-called “local time” format, he wanted to reduce the distance between politics and the population, which in his opinion is a danger to democracy. "Speechlessness in society or in some places also the distance of people from politics, which is a danger. This is poison for democracy," he commented at the beginning of his stay.
In bright sunshine, Steinmeier roamed the pedestrian zone of Stendal, where many citizens stayed in ice cream parlor. His encounters were briefly and often accompanied by a warm wave, but the general mood was rather reserved. While some passers -by watched, the big cheers failed to materialize. The atmosphere could have influenced the fact that the AfD had become the strongest force in the city council in the last local election.
The people on site and their worries
A conversation with a Stendaler, Johanna Schröder, illustrated the challenges with which many citizens are confronted, in particular the increasing cost of living: "Inflation is creating us. What is not expensive today? Such concerns were also addressed by farmers in the area who felt more than passed over, in particular with regard to new environmental regulations, which are often decided without consulting those affected.
A junior boss of a local orchard, André Stallbaum, told Steinmeier about his difficulties with excessive bureaucracy requirements: "I spend an incredible amount of time at the desk for senseless documentation and proof of evidence. Time that I lack for the actual work." Your concerns show a deep frustration about the lack of dialogue between politics and farmers, which, according to Kerstin Ramminger, has long existed from the district farmers' association.
Encounters with various city representatives showed that Steinmeier was also faced with a variety of social issues. In a so -called “coffee table controversial”, he discussed migration and integration with committed citizens. The majority of this round was visibly shaped by a positive mood, but basic integration and skilled worker problems remained unmentioned. Although the integration of foreign specialists is generally desired, some participants expressed that the current expectations are often too high and that hostility occurs occasionally.
conversations about Ukraine and defense
The topic of Ukraine was particularly explosive, about which many participants made critical comments in the coffee table. They want the federal government to rely less on arms deliveries and more on diplomatic solutions. One participant noticed: "I don't want to be warming. I want to be able to defend myself, that's okay. But I don't want to get war." Such statements throw a light on the critical examination of the citizens with the government decisions in relation to the war and the security situation in Europe.
Steinmeier tried to encourage citizens to express their opinions openly and said that democracy lives from rational argument. After the talks, the Federal President was optimistic about the citizens he spoke to. However, he also found that there were so far less accessible than he would like. During his time in Stendal, he specifically looked for a conversation with those who are interested, but also had to recognize that some people may no longer be ready for a dialogue.
build trust in the dialogue
With the help of such formats, Steinmeier wants to create a basis of trust and promote the dialogue between citizens and the political level. In Stendal, he wanted to underline how important it is not only to have distant conversations, but also to get in touch with people directly and to take their concerns seriously. This initiative is intended to help bridge the gap between politics and the citizens and to create a space for open discussion that is good for democracy.social challenges in Saxony-Anhalt
The talks that Federal President Steinmeier led in Stendal reflect the complex social challenges with which Saxony-Anhalt is faced. The region has to deal with demographic changes, economic challenges and a emigration of young people. These factors often lead to a feeling of isolation and the dwindling influence on political decisions.
Current statistics show that Saxony-Anhalt is one of the federal states affected most from emigration in Germany. According to the Statistical State Office of Saxony-Anhalt , the population decreased by about 7 % between 2011 and 2021. This has not only impact on the economy, but also on the social structures of the communities, which are perceived, the more subjective, the fewer contacts between different social groups.
political participation and participation
A central concern of Steinmeier's visit was to promote citizen participation. The "local time" series is an attempt to get citizens in contact with political decision -makers and to regain a feeling of trust in democracy. However, there is an increasing skepticism of political institutions in Saxony-Anhalt. The influence of populist parties such as the AfD could be reinforced by the maintenance mood among the population, as the results of the last local elections show where the AfD in Stendal received over 30 % of the votes.
To counteract this skepticism, there are initiatives of civil society groups who try to promote the conversation between the citizens and political actors. Organizations that deal with political education and the implementation of projects in the community play a central role here. The challenges are primarily regarded as an opportunity to revitalize political discourse, also in the periphery of Saxony-Anhalt.
economic framework and effects of inflation
The economic conditions in Saxony-Anhalt are characterized by a variety of challenges that were also discussed at Steinmeier's discussions. Above all, the high inflation, which is currently perceived by many citizens as a pressing problem, significantly burdens the purchasing power and standard of living of the population. The prices for basic goods such as food and fuel, as Johanna Schröder noted when he met Steinmeier, have risen sharply. This increases uncertainty in the everyday life of people.
according to the Federal Statistical Office Inflation in Germany increased at a level of over 6 % in 2024, with a special increase in rural regions, where access to favorable food and services is often restricted. Such economic pressure situations often lead to social dissatisfaction and can further reduce trust in the political structures.
The conversation about economic problems is particularly relevant, since Steinmeier's focus on rural areas shows that politics wants to increasingly take people's concerns seriously to prevent social division and to support the citizens in their concerns.