In the olden days, the powerful got nervous when people got together and talked too freely about what they wanted. It happened that they then founded parties, wrote pamphlets and stormed the palaces or at least the town halls. That is no longer necessary today. The political and ideological offer is broader than ever before. 54 parties competed in the most recent federal election. Anyone interested could tick the eco-anarchist-real-dadaist gathering place, the garden party or the “Human World”, which courageously and with full conviction works for the well-being and happiness of all.
Everyone finds their bubble. This is true on the internet and in real politics. Especially locally, where small groups make the political landscape look different from place to place. In Haar, CSU Mayor Andreas Bukowski has now experienced how young people at the Ernst-Mach-Gymnasium came together in a “Haar-Project-Party”. That didn’t bother him. Rather, he invited the students to the municipal council. They should report what they don’t like.
Of course, no one called for an overthrow. The young people had prepared a nice presentation and kindly presented a six-point program: They called for the expansion of renewable energies and the installation of more charging stations for electric cars. They argued that there should finally be a folk festival in Haar and that the central shopping street should become more attractive. The Haarer should vote on a “landmark”. Above all, they demanded that the mayor support a local youth council. Representatives from all parties applauded, and Bukowski announced that he was planning to do all of this anyway.
It wasn’t about anarchy and it wasn’t about happiness for everyone. In return, the high school students learned how politics works at grassroots level during the fictitious founding of the party, in which their social studies teacher accompanied them in a P seminar. And also how you manage to catch critics and let them go home with a good feeling. Now they can see what becomes of their demands – or start a real hair party.