Steinmeier pays a visit to Neuruppin, sampling herbal tea and enjoying hot dogs
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently visited Neuruppin, northwestern Brandenburg, as part of his "Local Time Germany" series. This multi-hour citizen dialogue is a regular event where the head of state talks to citizens and learns about local developments.
Steinmeier's mission was to have intensive conversations with the citizens of Neuruppin, rather than delivering big speeches. The "Kaffeetafel kontrovers" format, a traditionally uncomfortable but welcome setting for open discussions, was scheduled for Wednesday in Neuruppin.
This is the 16th such event for Steinmeier, and the second time he has visited Brandenburg. His visit to Neuruppin is significant as it brings national attention to this locality, allowing Steinmeier to listen to the concerns of residents and underscore the cultural and historical richness of different parts of Germany.
During his visit, Steinmeier visited a pharmacy, a bookstore, and a sausage stand in the city center. He purchased Kristine Bilkau's "Halbinsel" and Christoph Hein's "Narrenschiff" from the bookstore. Steinmeier also received a warm welcome from the residents of Neuruppin.
Steinmeier believes that the willingness to engage in conversation and the ability to compromise have suffered lasting damage during the pandemic. He wants to set an impulse against this with "Local Time Germany." The series emerged shortly before the end of the "Corona lockdown," and the multi-hour citizen dialogue on German Unity is also part of Steinmeier's agenda.
Steinmeier has planned visits to a canoe club, an art gallery, a regional company, and the Medical University during his stay in Neuruppin. His visit to Neuruppin is a testament to his active engagement in German social and political life, highlighting and connecting with various local communities across Germany to promote understanding of local histories and cultures, and foster a sense of national unity by acknowledging the diversity within the country.
- Steinmeier's "Local Time Germany" series, which includes multi-hour citizen dialogues, serves as a platform for discussing policy-and-legislation and general-news, as he engages in open discussions about local developments and the concerns of residents.
- The focus on promoting understanding of local histories and cultures, and fostering a sense of national unity by acknowledging the diversity within the country, are key elements in Steinmeier's political agenda, as illustrated by his active involvement in various local communities across Germany.
