My visit to Bundestag, Parliament of Federal Republic of Germany

How I visited Bundestag

Monowara Begum Moni

The Federal Press Office offers every Member of Parliament the opportunity to invite citizens to Berlin.

Politically interested Stuttgart residents from the constituency of Dr. Anna Christmann, from the Green Party, visited political Berlin and gained an insight into her parliamentary work and practice in the Bundestag.

The members of Parliament invite its voters, to see the Bundestag and to arouse political interest. So, I got an invitation and took part in one such tour from 11-14 September 2022.

The political information trip is organized, financed and carried out by the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government. During the four-day trip, visitors interested in politics will get a comprehensive insight into political Berlin. In addition to a visit to the Reichstag building, participation in plenary debates or informative lectures on the working methods and composition of the German Bundestag, a conversation with me was also on the agenda. And of course, there is a lot of history of art and culture to see and experience.

In total, the Federal Press Office pays for three overnight stays as part of the official program, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as one drink per meal.

This is because the Bundestag wants to enable as many people as possible to visit the federal capital and its institutions in this way. Because democracy thrives on transparency.

And that’s what these trips are for. Experience politics up close - there is no better way than on these four days in Berlin.

Background of the visit: the right to information. ‘Every German citizen has the right to information!’ Actually, such tours are organized by the Federal Press Office.

The German Bundestag is the parliament and thus the legislative body of the Federal Republic of Germany with its seat in Berlin.

In the German political system, the Bundestag is the only federal constitutional body that is elected directly by the people, the German citizens.

Articles 5 and 20 of the Basic Law stipulate the right to freedom of opinion and freedom of the press as well as the principle of democracy. They are the most important constitutional basis for the work of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government.

Democratic decisions – especially elections – require informed citizens. Every German citizen has the right to obtain information from generally accessible sources without hindrance.

On March 2, 1977, the Federal Constitutional Court underlined the importance of state public relations work: it must provide citizens with comprehensive information on crucial factual issues. Only in this way can each and every individual correctly assess the decisions, measures and proposed solutions, approve or reject them (Federal Constitutional Court decision 44, 125 (164)).

Politics and background information: All state bodies must make their contribution through comprehensive information work. This applies in particular to the federal government. The Federal Government fulfills this obligation to provide information through the work of the Press and Information Office. It offers the population a wide range of documentation and brochures on the policies of the federal government. The Bundestag wants to enable as many people as possible to visit the federal capital and its institutions in this way. And that’s what these trips are for. Experience politics up close - there is no better way than on these four days in Berlin! It is a wonderful experience.