Status: 03/30/2023 07:29 a.m
On the second day of his state visit, King Charles III. speak before the Bundestag – which provokes criticism from the Left Party. The monarch had already emphasized the close ties between Germany and his country on Wednesday.
The British King Charles III. and his king consort Camilla continue their state visit to Germany. The key point today is the planned speech by the monarch in the Bundestag – which has already met with criticism from some MPs in advance.
Before Charles III. steps up to the lectern, the royal couple will be received by Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey, who will then sign the capital’s Golden Book. After that, Chancellor Olaf Scholz should welcome the Royals.
After a visit to the weekly market on Berlin’s Wittenbergplatz, it should then go to the Bundestag: At noon, King Charles III wants to speak before the body – as the first monarch ever.
Royal visit to Germany
Valerie Krall, ARD London, morning magazine, March 30, 2023
Left Party criticizes speech before Bundestag
And that’s exactly what the Left Party takes offense at. “It is not appropriate for the highest democratic body to bow to a monarch,” said party leader Martin Schirdewan, referring to the British king’s planned speech. He added to the dpa news agency:
I also find it strange that, in times of inflation and skyrocketing poverty, the Bundestag should allow someone who was literally born with a golden spoon in their mouth to be written into their family book.
The deputy chairman of the Left Party, Ates Gürpinar, also sees the speech as giving the wrong signal: “I think it’s absurd to let a king speak in the Bundestag. Let’s remember: monarchies are basically dictatorships with more historical tinsel,” he said “Augsburger Allgemeine” and announced that he wanted to stay away from the speech in the plenary hall.
Onward journey to Brandenburg
For Charles III In the afternoon, a visit to the Ukraine arrivals center in the former Berlin Tegel Airport is on the agenda, while Camilla wants to visit a Berlin City Mission project and later visit the Komische Oper.
The royal couple will then travel on to Brandenburg, again accompanied by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Among other things, a visit to the organic farm Ökodorf Brodowin is planned.
“Our relationship will only get stronger”
Steinmeier received the royal couple with military honors on Wednesday after they landed at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport – for the first time in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The royals were greeted at the airport with a 21-gun salute, two Eurofighters flying overhead and a military guard of honor.
At the following state banquet in Bellevue Palace, Charles III. in a speech, partly in German, that he wanted to develop relations between the two countries. Germany and the United Kingdom have a great interest in the future of the other country. “I firmly believe that our relationship will grow even stronger as we work together towards a more sustainable future of prosperity and security,” said Charles III.
Relations between the two countries are extremely important to him. “I am more convinced than ever of their lasting value for all of us,” said the king. “I can only assure you that I will do everything I can to further strengthen our relationship during my time as king.”
Recognition for taking in war refugees
He and his wife were “deeply touched” by the warm welcome in Germany, Charles said – and pointed out that he had been to the country more than 40 times. “Of course, that shows how important our relationships are to me, but also, I’m afraid, how long I’ve been around.”
Charles also thanked the Germans for the “extremely moving words of support and affection” following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September. “Your kindness has meant more to my family and I than words can express.”
The king also expressed his appreciation for Germany for taking in more than a million refugees from Ukraine. This is “convincing proof, it seems to me, of the generosity of the people in Germany”.
Steinmeier: Are “closer together than ever”
In his speech, Federal President Steinmeier also emphasized the historically close partnership between Great Britain and Germany after two world wars. “Whatever lies ahead, I know our Anglo-German friendship remains important and it remains strong,” he said. “We feel how deep our connection is, especially in these times.”
He referred to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Since then, the democracies within NATO, the EU and Great Britain have been “closer than ever” and have supported Ukraine. The joint commitment of Great Britain and Germany is “not a matter of course, especially after the terrible disaster” that Germans brought to the continent in the two world wars, according to the Federal President.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel was among the approximately 130 invited guests
Image: EPA
“Start a new chapter”
At the same time, Steinmeier recalled the official start of Great Britain’s exit from the EU after the Brexit decision exactly six years ago. On March 29, 2017, the United Kingdom began to withdraw from the European Union, Steinmeier said. “Today, exactly six years later, we are starting a new chapter. We are looking forward under changed conditions – and yet together.”
that Charles III. Traveling to Germany before his coronation on May 6 was a “great personal” and also a “strong European gesture,” said the Federal President. “She means a lot to me, she means a lot to us Germans.”
King’s visit to Berlin: Yesterday’s state banquet – today’s Bundestag
Jan Zimmermann, ARD Berlin, March 30, 2023 5:35 a.m