A special moment

How are young people in Germany shaping politics? We have spoken with three Bundestag representatives: Hakan Demir (37, SPD), Emilia Fester (23, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and Catarina dos Santos (27, CDU).

You all became first-time members of the Bundestag in the 2021 Federal Election. Which moment was particularly memorable for you in Berlin?

Demir: Standing in the polling booth and voting for the Federal Chancellor was a particularly memorable moment for me.

Fester: The very best moment for me was when my whole team arrived in Berlin. There were six of us, and we held a long team meeting, and then I showed them all round the Bundestag. It was wonderful, sharing the feeling of the team spirit and knowing we have a common goal to get things done. The team works really well together.

Dos Santos: The first assembly in the plenary chamber was something special. It was very impressive, looking up into the dome above and seeing the federal eagle. In addition to this I had a meeting with the Federal President, together with the youngest members of parliament, to commemorate the ninth of November. That was a very special meeting, and it really impressed me.

Do you sometimes visit your constituency? What are people mainly concerned about?

Demir: My constituency is Berlin-Neukölln. People there are concerned about the coronavirus pandemic, the question of obligatory vaccinations and social issues, such as the rising rents. I try to help the people directly, but I also take their concerns to the Bundestag, in order to make systematic changes.

Dos Santos: My constituency is Aachen II. It was badly hit by the flood disaster in July 2021, and that is still a serious problem. People are naturally concerned about the pandemic as well. For instance, in my constituency there are people running restaurants who are worried about how they can carry on. I think a lot about that. In addition to this I receive very many emails from citizens throughout Germany on the question of obligatory vaccinations.

Ms Fester, you entered the Bundestag via the party list for Hamburg. What concerns do the people have there?

Fester: I still live in Hamburg, and I‘m there in the weeks when the Bundestag isn’t sitting. The major topic in Hamburg is the pandemic. We need obligatory vaccinations so that the people there can return to greater freedom.

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