danzmann(at)stiftungzukunftberlin.eu
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German Länder in Berlin
Germany’s capital is not only the seat of the country’s national government and parliament, the Bundestag; the German Länder, or federal states, also have a presence there through their representations and the German parliament’s upper chamber, the Bundesrat. These are eclipsed, however, by the Reichstag Building, where the Bundestag meets, the Federal Chancellery and the German Federal Ministries and are hardly noticed by Berliners and visitors to the city.
The Stiftung Zukunft Berlin is seeking to change this situation, thus taking up a demand voiced by the Minister-Presidents of the federal states in their Talks on the Capital. Together with the federal states, it is endeavouring to provide direct experience of federalism and the diversity of Germany’s federal states in the country’s capital. After all, the Federal Republic is composed of the national government and parliament and the federal states.
Keeping alive the memory of Berlin as a divided city is not a good idea if Germans are to enjoy a constructive and cooperative relationship with their capital. This relationship is an important work in progress and the initiative must be taken by the Berliners themselves.
Berlin as a platform for Germany’s federal states – our suggestions
How can this goal be achieved? First of all, it is important for the federal states themselves to take the initiative and set about showcasing the key function they perform in the national capital as well. The federal states can be the face of federalism in the capital and make Berlin their platform.
But making federalism and its cultural diversity visible in the capital is also the job of civil society, which is why the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin has drawn up proposals for joint federal state projects and initiatives. Here, it draws on suggestions made by the Minister-Presidents in their Talks on the Capital.
Initial steps towards raising the external profile of federalism in the capital might include joint activities by the federal states and their official representations. Events have previously been held at the individual federal state representations, but joint activities have been the exception.
Raising the profile of the federal states in Berlin is something that can only be achieved gradually. The Stiftung Zukunft Berlin views this as a process that could culminate in a new and better relationship between the country’s capital and its federal states. The Minister-Presidents have underlined the importance of Berlin for Germany’s identity. What role can the federal states play in a place that – more than any other – represents Germany in the world and hosts discussions on the future prospects of the entire nation?