Big tattoo for Angela Merkel: “Coolest dictator” calls Germany “dictatorship”

The Bundeswehr says goodbye to Chancellor Angela Merkel with a big tattoo. A dictator sees this as a sign of dictatorship

+++ 11.00 a.m .: In response to Angela Merkel’s big tattoo, Nayib Bukele, authoritative President of El Salvador, has described Germany as a “dictatorship”. “The uniforms, the flaming torches, the colors, the helmets … 16 years in power,” wrote the head of state on Twitter on Thursday evening. Then Bukele teased: “But El Salvador is the dictatorship.”

In the past, Bukele described himself as the “coolest dictator” in the world. International observers warn of Bukele’s authoritarian system and style. “Bukele has practically declared the hunt for independent journalists, lawyers, human rights activists and anyone who has dared to criticize him or the policies of his government to be open,” Amnesty International said on Wednesday (01.12.2021) according to dpa.

Big tattoo for Merkel: outrage over ZDF breakdown during the national anthem

Update from December 3rd, 2021, 7.45 a.m .: During the big tattoo there was a breakdown during the ZDF broadcast. As the news portal T-Online.de reports, the voice of the moderator Bettina Schausten could be heard from off during the national anthem. “Dear ZDF, that was underground. Moderators chattering into the ceremony, moderators whispering in prayer and hymn, with questions like ‘Wolfgang, how long have we got?’ – are you still okay? “, outraged a user on Twitter. Another user writes: “ZDF nicely chatted into the hymn. And there is constant whispering in the background. Then close the mics completely when you have nothing useful to say other than asking how long the tattoo will go on. Embarrassing for a radio company. “

However, this is not the only faux pas that ZDF is accused of: “Sorry, but how can you, as deputy editor-in-chief of ZDF, screw up such a big thing as the #Zapfenstreich? Constant whispering, chatting into the hymn, 60 instead of 16 years in office. ”

The ZDF responded: “Small explanation: Wolfgang was sitting in the OB van and was the ‘man on the ear” of Bettina Schausten. We apologize for the fact that the moderator’s question was heard on ZDF. Of course it wasn’t intended. “

No tears for the big tattoo: Angela Merkel appeals to respect, solidarity and trust

Angela Merkel called for a respectful togetherness, international cooperation and optimism. “I would like to encourage people to continue to see the world through the eyes of the other,” said Merkel in her speech in the run-up to the big tattoo. “Our democracy thrives on the ability to critically examine and correct oneself,” Merkel continued. “It lives from the constant balance of interests and from respect for one another. It lives from solidarity and trust. ”It is also about“ trusting facts ”.

Then the outgoing Chancellor listened to the sounds of the GDR hit “You forgot the color film” by Nina Hagen, the chanson “For me it should rain red roses” by Hildegard Knef and the hymn “Great God, we praise you”.

The outgoing Chancellor was largely unmoved, only closed her eyes for the final prayer and appeared to some observers: inside a little emotional. Then Merkel took a rose from the road that had been built for her and gave another one to her defense minister and hapless short-term successor at the top of the CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Read the most important moments of the big tattoo here in the live ticker.

No tears for the big tattoo: Angela Merkel is giving away rose

+++ 8:07 p.m .: Angela Merkel takes note of the roaring applause and grins a little. Merkel takes one from the bouquet of red roses and gives another to her companion Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

+++ 8:03 p.m .: Kai Beinke, Lieutenant Colonel of the Guard Battalion of the Bundeswehr, orders the withdrawal, the big tattoo for Angela Merkel is drawing to a close, just like the second longest term of office of a head of government in the Federal Republic of Germany.

+++ 8.00 p.m .: The prayer is followed by other flute, trumpet and drum sounds, they follow a ritualized sequence. Then the music corps of the Bundeswehr presents the rifle to the national anthem.

+++ 19.55 p.m .: The command “helmet off to prayer” follows. Angela Merkel closes her eyes.

Big tattoo: No tears for Angela Merkel

+++ 7.49 p.m .: Flute and drum sounds follow, while the soon-to-be-former Chancellor looks into the faces of the torchbearers on the podium in front of the Reichstag building. Katja Thorwarth dedicated one of her columns to the effect of the scenery when she said goodbye to Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

+++ 7.41 p.m .: This is followed by the hymn “Great God we praise you”. Angela Merkel remains true to herself. While her predecessor Gerhard Schröder shed tears to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”, the outgoing Chancellor stoically acknowledges her honor.

Big tattoo: Hildegard Knef and Nina Hagen for Angela Merkel

+++ 7.40 p.m .: Now it is getting melancholy: The music corps of the Bundeswehr plays “For me it should rain red roses” by Hildegard Knef. And so slowly it happens that an era ends. 16 years in which children and young people in the country never saw another female chancellor. You will now be allowed to get used to a new face in the Chancellery.

+++ 19:37: The music corps of the Bundeswehr plays “You forgot the color film” by Nina Hagen. Angela Merkel listens reverently to the sounds of marching music.

+++ 19.35 p.m .: The big tattoo begins, the music corps of the Bundeswehr plays the Yorckscher March. Angela Merkel receives “Big tattoo in your honor” and receives a certificate from the Ministry of Defense.

Update from December 2nd, 2021, 6:07 p.m .: Why did Angela Merkel want the GDR hit “You forgot the color film” from Nina Hagen for her big tattoo? Because the song was a “very popular song, especially among young people,” when she was young, the Chancellor said. A reason as sober as Merkel’s administration over the past 16 years.

First report from November 30th, 2021, 3:19 p.m .: Berlin – Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is currently in the last legs of her term of office. Even before her official farewell, she will be adopted by the German armed forces on Thursday evening (December 2nd, 2021) with the most solemn ceremony that there is in the Bundeswehr, the Great Zapfenstreich.

Unlike in the past, according to government spokesman Steffen Seibert, the ceremony will take place without a reception and with a significantly lower number of guests. Of the corona– Due to the pandemic, the Chancellor will leave the Ministry of Defense, where the procedure will take place, immediately afterwards. According to the Ministry of Defense, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected as a guest of honor.

Chancellor Angela Merkel would like to see a GDR punk hit at Zapfenstreich

The big tattoo will begin at 7.30 p.m. in the courtyard of the Bendlerblock, the Berlin office of the ministry. Merkel will give a short speech beforehand. ZDF will broadcast the event live on television. According to a report in Der Spiegel, Merkel chose Hildegard Knef’s title “For me it should rain red roses” for the big tattoo.

In addition to the hymn “Great God, we praise you”, the staff music corps of the Bundeswehr is also rehearsing the song “You forgot the color film”, with which the punk singer Nina Hagen landed a hit in the GDR in 1974. Seibert did not want to comment on the choice of music.

Corona pandemic: the event takes place “in strict compliance with the applicable regulations”

Spiegel also reports that around 200 guests have been invited. These include Merkel’s companions and the 52 federal ministers from her time in government. According to current plans, the Chancellor will do the ceremony while sitting.

Due to the corona pandemic, the event will take place “with the strictest observance of the applicable regulations,” as a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense announced. The main thing is that the soldiers have to keep the distance to the visitors. A 2G-plus regulation applies to the event – whoever wants to participate must be vaccinated or recovered and have a test.

Angela Merkel receives the greatest honor for a civilian from the Bundeswehr

The great tattoo is considered to be the highest honor a civil person can be bestowed by the German armed forces. In addition to Federal Chancellors, Federal Presidents and Defense Ministers are also honored with this custom when they pass. The origins of the ceremony go back to the 16th century. The ceremony, which consists of a parade and several pieces of music (including the national anthem), always takes place in the evening and ends with the march out. Torches are also part of the ceremony. (Lukas Zigo / Mikro Schmid with AFP / dpa)

List of rubric lists: © Michael Kappeler / dpa