1 00:00:03,001 --> 00:00:07,521 Ladies and gentlemen, as in past election periods, 2 00:00:07,521 --> 00:00:11,121 we, in the first session of the State Parliament, 3 00:00:11,121 --> 00:00:14,781 firstly, orient ourselves on the regulations of the 4 00:00:14,781 --> 00:00:16,770 State Assembly, the 18th. 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:17,894 Election time. 6 00:00:17,981 --> 00:00:18,500 It is 7 00:00:18,501 --> 00:00:21,801 tradition and our rules of procedure are provided for in 8 00:00:21,801 --> 00:00:26,001 paragraphs 68, that during the first session of the State Assembly 9 00:00:26,001 --> 00:00:29,001 until the election of the President or the President of the 10 00:00:29,001 --> 00:00:29,818 State Assembly. 11 00:00:29,899 --> 00:00:32,840 The oldest member present in 12 00:00:32,841 --> 00:00:40,441 the state house, ready to lead as a senior or 13 00:00:40,441 --> 00:00:41,034 chairman. 14 00:00:41,119 --> 00:00:45,780 I am grateful to this arrangement that I can 15 00:00:45,781 --> 00:00:49,681 take this place for a short time and greet them 16 00:00:49,681 --> 00:00:50,122 today. 17 00:00:50,210 --> 00:00:54,360 But after good use, I would like to make 18 00:00:54,361 --> 00:00:57,121 sure that I am also sitting correctly in this 19 00:00:57,121 --> 00:00:57,821 place. 20 00:00:57,938 --> 00:01:03,540 I am Josef Rakitzki, elected member of the State 21 00:01:03,541 --> 00:01:06,605 Parliament from the district of Helmstedt. 22 00:01:06,683 --> 00:01:07,940 I was born in 23 00:01:07,941 --> 00:01:14,161 1956 and I ask all present newly elected 24 00:01:14,161 --> 00:01:15,328 representatives. 25 00:01:15,418 --> 00:01:19,640 Someone born before April 1956 is 26 00:01:19,641 --> 00:01:25,701 among the chosen ones. 27 00:01:26,501 --> 00:01:28,147 No one comes forward. 28 00:01:28,234 --> 00:01:31,440 Then I declare my willingness to 29 00:01:31,441 --> 00:01:35,901 first lead the resolution and hereby open the first plenary 30 00:01:35,901 --> 00:01:40,458 session of the newly elected state parliament. 31 00:01:40,561 --> 00:01:41,700 According 32 00:01:41,701 --> 00:01:44,581 to the rules of procedure, we will come to the naming 33 00:01:44,581 --> 00:01:47,941 of the two members who will form the interim 34 00:01:47,941 --> 00:01:49,945 board together with me. 35 00:01:50,112 --> 00:01:52,200 Usually, interim 36 00:01:52,201 --> 00:01:55,981 clerks are named the youngest female and the 37 00:01:55,981 --> 00:01:59,612 youngest male members of the State Assembly. 38 00:01:59,682 --> 00:02:00,240 According 39 00:02:00,241 --> 00:02:05,041 to the information I have received, Mrs. Antonia Hilberg 40 00:02:05,041 --> 00:02:09,395 is from the SPD faction. 41 00:02:09,696 --> 00:02:13,900 Born December 1997 and 42 00:02:13,901 --> 00:02:18,161 Mr. Pascal Legin of the Alliance Ninety fraction, 43 00:02:18,161 --> 00:02:21,541 the Green born on March twenty-two 44 00:02:21,541 --> 00:02:23,907 19hundred and ninety. 45 00:02:24,006 --> 00:02:27,260 Is anyone younger than the elected 46 00:02:27,261 --> 00:02:33,221 representatives present ladies and gentlemen? 47 00:02:34,501 --> 00:02:38,381 It was almost impossible. 48 00:02:40,001 --> 00:02:43,810 So this doesn't seem to be the case either. 49 00:02:43,893 --> 00:02:45,300 That's why I 50 00:02:45,301 --> 00:02:49,861 first ask Ms. Hilberg if she is willing to follow 51 00:02:49,861 --> 00:02:55,416 tradition and assume this temporary office. 52 00:02:55,527 --> 00:02:56,860 Thank you very much. 53 00:02:56,861 --> 00:03:01,541 I ask Mr. Ledin if he is ready to take 54 00:03:01,541 --> 00:03:02,543 this office. 55 00:03:02,585 --> 00:03:03,629 Thank you very much. 56 00:03:03,713 --> 00:03:06,720 We have the consent of both and 57 00:03:06,721 --> 00:03:12,101 then I ask you both to take a seat here to the right and 58 00:03:12,101 --> 00:03:16,661 to the left of me, whereby the right and left 59 00:03:16,661 --> 00:03:20,732 now, for once, of course, have no political significance. 60 00:03:20,803 --> 00:03:21,160 Here 61 00:03:21,161 --> 00:03:23,401 you go. 62 00:03:53,001 --> 00:03:57,881 So, with that we are completely the interim 63 00:03:57,881 --> 00:04:03,401 bureau is complete and we can continue in our business 64 00:04:03,401 --> 00:04:04,288 process. 65 00:04:04,368 --> 00:04:08,320 Allow me to see our numerous visitors in the 66 00:04:08,321 --> 00:04:14,781 stands, representatives of public life In Lower Saxony, 67 00:04:14,781 --> 00:04:17,261 representatives of churches and religious 68 00:04:17,261 --> 00:04:20,561 communities, representatives of the economy, 69 00:04:20,561 --> 00:04:24,521 science, municipalities, landscapes and 70 00:04:24,521 --> 00:04:27,861 landscape representatives bands to welcome 71 00:04:27,861 --> 00:04:33,261 the Bundeswehr as well as the consular basket and thank us for 72 00:04:33,261 --> 00:04:36,261 the honor they show us with their presence 73 00:04:36,261 --> 00:04:38,381 thanks. 74 00:04:48,501 --> 00:04:52,361 Please understand that not all guests of honor 75 00:04:52,361 --> 00:04:55,506 can be greeted by name. 76 00:04:55,703 --> 00:04:58,160 As a special guest, I would 77 00:04:58,161 --> 00:05:03,201 like to welcome the former president of our state parliament, 78 00:05:03,201 --> 00:05:06,701 Mrs. Doctor André. 79 00:05:16,501 --> 00:05:20,901 Dear Mrs. President of the State Parliament, 80 00:05:20,901 --> 00:05:24,681 today, besides a special greeting, you are due especially 81 00:05:24,681 --> 00:05:29,541 our thanks for your performance at the top of the State Parliament 82 00:05:29,541 --> 00:05:31,332 over the past five years. 83 00:05:31,404 --> 00:05:32,980 With their sovereign 84 00:05:32,981 --> 00:05:37,341 leadership of the session and their appreciation 85 00:05:37,341 --> 00:05:41,541 representation of our state parliament, they have contributed 86 00:05:41,541 --> 00:05:47,281 to a positive image of Parliament and Lower Saxony and 87 00:05:47,281 --> 00:05:50,173 counteracted the so much cited political fatigue. 88 00:05:50,238 --> 00:05:50,880 Thank you so 89 00:05:50,881 --> 00:05:53,481 much for this. 90 00:06:04,001 --> 00:06:09,541 Even the press stands are fully occupied today and that's a 91 00:06:09,541 --> 00:06:10,027 good thing. 92 00:06:10,096 --> 00:06:13,500 The reporting from the Parliament has been 93 00:06:13,501 --> 00:06:18,541 designated by my predecessor, Mr. Heine Schönke, I quote, 94 00:06:18,541 --> 00:06:21,526 a life elixir for every real Parliament. 95 00:06:21,603 --> 00:06:22,980 The media 96 00:06:22,981 --> 00:06:25,681 accompaniment of parliamentary work is an 97 00:06:25,681 --> 00:06:30,394 important link between politics and the population. 98 00:06:30,496 --> 00:06:32,340 I hope and 99 00:06:32,341 --> 00:06:36,181 believe that in the next five years we can 100 00:06:36,181 --> 00:06:39,741 expect critical but fair and objective 101 00:06:39,741 --> 00:06:42,643 reporting from the media. 102 00:06:42,724 --> 00:06:44,820 Finally, of course, I welcome 103 00:06:44,821 --> 00:06:48,448 all the representatives of the Lower Saxony State Assembly of the 19th. 104 00:06:48,537 --> 00:06:53,700 Election period and all former colleagues 105 00:06:53,701 --> 00:06:55,314 present. 106 00:06:55,438 --> 00:06:59,780 I would also like to warmly 107 00:06:59,781 --> 00:07:03,181 welcome the viewers who follow our constituent 108 00:07:03,181 --> 00:07:07,381 session, as well as my family on TV or via 109 00:07:07,381 --> 00:07:10,881 livestream of the MDR. 110 00:07:11,501 --> 00:07:16,701 Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues and 111 00:07:16,701 --> 00:07:23,721 esteemed guests, today I have the special honor 112 00:07:23,721 --> 00:07:27,181 to open the constituent session of the 113 00:07:27,181 --> 00:07:32,481 newly elected state parliament and also as a newly 114 00:07:32,481 --> 00:07:36,266 elected member of the s State Day. 115 00:07:36,366 --> 00:07:37,760 At first, I 116 00:07:37,761 --> 00:07:41,396 was surprised by the offer of this office. 117 00:07:41,479 --> 00:07:42,800 Especially since 118 00:07:42,801 --> 00:07:45,441 the elderly president is actually the oldest representative 119 00:07:45,441 --> 00:07:47,220 in the state parliament. 120 00:07:47,286 --> 00:07:49,460 I actually thought I'm 121 00:07:49,461 --> 00:07:51,202 not that old yet. 122 00:07:51,290 --> 00:07:54,860 But it's certain for me, you're going 123 00:07:54,861 --> 00:07:56,921 to have a fairly young age president 124 00:07:56,921 --> 00:07:59,548 this election period. 125 00:07:59,653 --> 00:08:03,120 But I am old enough to feel 126 00:08:03,121 --> 00:08:09,001 this session from something very special on this day. 127 00:08:09,001 --> 00:08:12,961 I am, as they can easily recognize in my language, 128 00:08:12,961 --> 00:08:15,644 not born in Germany. 129 00:08:15,829 --> 00:08:18,420 Born and raised 130 00:08:18,421 --> 00:08:20,541 in one in communist 131 00:08:20,541 --> 00:08:22,106 Czechoslovakia. 132 00:08:22,198 --> 00:08:26,340 It was a country back then where democracy 133 00:08:26,341 --> 00:08:28,371 only existed on paper. 134 00:08:28,464 --> 00:08:31,140 The press was slave and 135 00:08:31,141 --> 00:08:35,821 equal, a country where children were politically 136 00:08:35,821 --> 00:08:40,901 indoctrinated from a young age in school and 137 00:08:40,901 --> 00:08:43,901 a country where critics of the prevailing 138 00:08:43,901 --> 00:08:47,321 doctrine and dissenters of the state security 139 00:08:47,321 --> 00:08:51,581 observe or even inh fired, defamed by the press 140 00:08:51,581 --> 00:08:54,623 and declared an enemy of society. 141 00:08:54,712 --> 00:08:56,680 So I know what it’s 142 00:08:56,681 --> 00:09:01,502 like to live in a free country with no democracy. 143 00:09:01,587 --> 00:09:01,840 I 144 00:09:01,841 --> 00:09:04,757 know freedom and oppression . 145 00:09:04,836 --> 00:09:05,860 It was this 146 00:09:05,861 --> 00:09:10,721 sense of freedom that made me seek freedom years 147 00:09:10,721 --> 00:09:15,278 before the collapse of the communist regime. 148 00:09:15,377 --> 00:09:19,860 I found her in Germany, I found her 149 00:09:19,861 --> 00:09:28,921 in Lower Saxony and now from today even as a deputy 150 00:09:28,921 --> 00:09:33,231 I can stand for freedom. 151 00:09:33,358 --> 00:09:36,020 This is for me I ask 152 00:09:36,021 --> 00:09:38,477 for understanding. 153 00:09:38,588 --> 00:09:42,160 A very special moment 154 00:09:44,001 --> 00:09:50,381 Dear colleagues, dear guests, the freedom 155 00:09:50,381 --> 00:09:55,633 of the citizens is our task. 156 00:09:55,748 --> 00:09:57,460 Also, and 157 00:09:57,461 --> 00:10:01,541 especially in times when opinions are 158 00:10:01,541 --> 00:10:06,341 irreconcilably confronted, when they are no longer 159 00:10:06,341 --> 00:10:10,761 listened to, in which whole group discounts are devalued. 160 00:10:10,761 --> 00:10:13,521 Social cohesion, social 161 00:10:13,521 --> 00:10:17,041 peace does not grow by the fact that only one 162 00:10:17,041 --> 00:10:19,693 opinion is valid as the right one. 163 00:10:19,759 --> 00:10:20,820 And everyone 164 00:10:20,821 --> 00:10:23,543 else is defamed and excluded. 165 00:10:23,621 --> 00:10:25,021 Societal peace 166 00:10:25,021 --> 00:10:27,530 through dialogue. 167 00:10:27,703 --> 00:10:29,520 It comes from 168 00:10:29,521 --> 00:10:33,301 appreciating the other, even if you don't share their 169 00:10:33,301 --> 00:10:33,963 opinion. 170 00:10:34,074 --> 00:10:40,260 The core of democracy is the right of one's own 171 00:10:40,261 --> 00:10:47,461 to have one's own opinion to you and that I'm willing to 172 00:10:47,461 --> 00:10:52,650 stand up for the freedom of the other. 173 00:10:52,771 --> 00:10:54,460 Not because I 174 00:10:54,461 --> 00:10:59,933 share his opinion, but because I am a Democrat. 175 00:11:00,039 --> 00:11:00,880 And because 176 00:11:00,881 --> 00:11:04,061 without the other person's opinion, there is no 177 00:11:04,061 --> 00:11:05,097 democracy. 178 00:11:05,201 --> 00:11:09,761 The State House is a place where 179 00:11:09,761 --> 00:11:13,221 discussion, confiscation, exchange 180 00:11:13,221 --> 00:11:15,588 and decisions are made. 181 00:11:15,660 --> 00:11:16,520 It is 182 00:11:16,521 --> 00:11:22,141 essential that all views are heard. 183 00:11:22,141 --> 00:11:26,461 Democracy lives on diversity of opinion and freedom. 184 00:11:26,461 --> 00:11:30,581 It's part of the liberal democratic 185 00:11:30,581 --> 00:11:31,881 basic order. 186 00:11:31,981 --> 00:11:36,481 Democracy is the rule of the people and 187 00:11:36,481 --> 00:11:40,051 the people now have many opinions. 188 00:11:40,139 --> 00:11:41,880 Democracy is therefore 189 00:11:41,881 --> 00:11:45,921 also a system that ensures that the 190 00:11:45,921 --> 00:11:49,561 minority opinion can always become the majority 191 00:11:49,561 --> 00:11:50,046 opinion. 192 00:11:50,143 --> 00:11:55,480 In the run-up to this meeting, representatives 193 00:11:55,481 --> 00:11:59,161 of other factions had already, let me not put 194 00:11:59,161 --> 00:12:03,461 it so harshly, exclusion statements 195 00:12:03,461 --> 00:12:03,987 were made. 196 00:12:04,051 --> 00:12:07,373 I don't think this house is good. 197 00:12:07,449 --> 00:12:07,900 Not 198 00:12:07,901 --> 00:12:09,966 good for democracy. 199 00:12:10,049 --> 00:12:12,940 We all stand for unity and 200 00:12:12,941 --> 00:12:17,081 freedom and justice and must stand up to keep it 201 00:12:17,081 --> 00:12:17,729 that way. 202 00:12:17,822 --> 00:12:22,360 If we agree on this, much has already 203 00:12:22,361 --> 00:12:23,679 been won. 204 00:12:23,826 --> 00:12:29,540 Dear colleagues, our constituent 205 00:12:29,541 --> 00:12:33,901 session will also take place under particularly 206 00:12:33,901 --> 00:12:39,681 moving and dangerous national and international 207 00:12:39,681 --> 00:12:42,089 conditions. 208 00:12:42,189 --> 00:12:45,500 We all want a peaceful life 209 00:12:45,501 --> 00:12:53,121 for our country, for our families and for ourselves. 210 00:12:53,121 --> 00:12:57,481 Allow me, therefore, on this current occasion, at 211 00:12:57,481 --> 00:13:01,501 the end of my address, to quote one of my predecessors, 212 00:13:01,501 --> 00:13:05,961 as he would quote senior president of this Parliament, 213 00:13:05,961 --> 00:13:07,056 Klaus-Peter Bruntz. 214 00:13:07,147 --> 00:13:10,340 President Bruns was in this 215 00:13:10,341 --> 00:13:14,661 Parliament the last witness of the two world wars in 216 00:13:14,661 --> 00:13:15,857 the twentieth. 217 00:13:15,913 --> 00:13:17,270 Century. 218 00:13:17,322 --> 00:13:19,771 And he judged on the 9th 219 00:13:19,881 --> 00:13:21,621 July 1986 words 220 00:13:21,621 --> 00:13:25,435 following the newly elected state parliament. 221 00:13:25,449 --> 00:13:26,119 Quote. 222 00:13:26,218 --> 00:13:27,880 The younger 223 00:13:27,881 --> 00:13:37,201 of him will ask how 1933 and 1939. 224 00:13:37,201 --> 00:13:42,401 And what kind of people were those who allowed or even contributed 225 00:13:42,401 --> 00:13:45,024 to this development? 226 00:13:45,162 --> 00:13:49,580 And another quote It's always been 227 00:13:49,581 --> 00:13:50,613 this way. 228 00:13:50,702 --> 00:13:54,513 The nations don't want a war. 229 00:13:54,629 --> 00:13:56,120 But they are 230 00:13:56,121 --> 00:14:00,621 vulnerable to manipulation and their oath. 231 00:14:00,711 --> 00:14:00,981 The 232 00:14:00,981 --> 00:14:04,491 rulers always find reasons. 233 00:14:04,574 --> 00:14:05,660 Leading 234 00:14:05,661 --> 00:14:10,421 people to war and destruction who want to live. 235 00:14:10,421 --> 00:14:11,967 End of quotation. 236 00:14:12,108 --> 00:14:19,280 I ask here in this Parliament worried can 237 00:14:19,281 --> 00:14:24,617 we count on that this is no longer possible today. 238 00:14:24,916 --> 00:14:29,700 I thank you.