DGB Federal Congress opened in Berlin: Steinmeier speaks of “epoch break” – economy
As part of the opening ceremony of the trade union congress, cultural performances provide uplifting moments. It’s difficult in times of war. On Sunday afternoon, at the start of the DGB federal congress in Berlin, a choir sang a song about the next war, “which will be the last”. And an old peace song by Hannes Wader was played, in which the following lines appear: “I find your name on your cross, dead soldier, and someone painted the numbers 1900 and 16, and you weren’t even 19 years old. Yes, they lied to you as well, just as they still do to us today.” At the end of the opening ceremony, the almost 400 delegates and a few prominent guests held hands and intoned together We should overcome. Frank-Walter Steinmeier too .
“Day of Liberation, Day of War”
“Mr. Federal President, you were and are always a welcome guest,” said DGB Chairman Reiner Hoffmann, welcoming the head of state. Steinmeier then spanned an arc from the end of World War II to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which meant an “epoch break”. May 8, 1945 was a “day of gratitude and day of liberation”; May 8, 2022 “a day of war”. Due to the historical significance of this date, one had to point out Putin’s “cynical and perfidious misuse of history” on this day.
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It is time, Steinmeier continued, to recognize and accept the new realities and the “end of old certainties”. He addressed the fear that it could be drawn into the war and, in this context, promoted a controversial debate about arms deliveries. “That is what makes our democracy what it is.” He would like a discourse in which others “are not made contemptible”.
Globalization in transition
Steinmeier addressed the employee representatives by addressing the burdens of the pandemic and war. Fears of inflation, recession and job losses are widespread, the global division of labor is facing a “upheaval”, supply chains are “severely disrupted”. “The price on the world markets alone shouldn’t decide who you do business with,” said the Federal President and received strong applause. If Europe is “rediscovered as a production location”, as Steinmeier believes, then that is entirely in the interests of the trade unions.
The Federal Congress of the DGB, also known as the Parliament of Labor, takes place every four years. This time the motto is “We shape the future”. In the transformation to a climate-neutral economy, it is also important to take the weakest with you, said the Federal President. Otherwise, “populist currents” like the AfD would gain even more support.
The trade unions “successfully fought for better wages and the maintenance of social standards,” says Steinmeier, praising the work of Reiner Hoffmann, who led the DGB for eight years. “The DGB is more united than at other times.” Hoffmann was a first-class bridge builder. “Dear Reiner, on behalf of our entire country, thank you very much.”
Yasmin Fahimi succeeds Reiner Hoffmann
Sunday was Hoffmann’s last day of work, this Monday is supposed to be Yasmin Fahimi is the first woman to be elected head of the umbrella organization. Fahimi, a member of the Bundestag for the SPD, was the party’s general secretary for a short time and wrote for the IG BCE for many years. Berlin’s governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) spoke a word of welcome at the congress and praised the “strong signal” given by a DGB chairwoman.