“35 Years of Unity in Europe”: Panel discussion with Holger Friedrich in Chemnitz

Thomas Geisel, who represents the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance in the European Parliament, is hosting a panel discussion in Chemnitz, the European Capital of Culture, on August 27th and is looking forward to welcoming some highly opinionated guests. Uwe Barthel, a founding member of Stadtwerke Chemnitz, as well as Jan-Peter Warnke, a Member of the European Parliament, and Holger Friedrich, publisher of the Berliner Zeitung, will exchange views and discuss the topic "35 Years of Unity in Europe."

Thirty-five years after German reunification, it's time to take stock: What has been achieved, where challenges remain, and what lessons can we learn for the future of Europe? All of this will be addressed at a historic location—Chemnitz, the European Capital of Culture 2025—and discussed with contemporary witnesses, business representatives, and media experts who will share their personal, political, and media perspectives on almost four decades of German and European history.

Initiator Thomas Geisel is looking forward to a "lively discussion" that will once again focus on the development of reunified Germany after 1990. Since the integration of East and West Germany was by no means smooth and without complications, mistakes, and prejudices, Geisel believes it is all the more important to continue the debate on this topic, "otherwise, what belongs together will not grow together," says the MEP.

Former mayor of Chemnitz, Peter Seifert, had originally agreed to participate in the panel, but withdrew his participation when he learned that Holger Friedrich would also be present. He told the Chemnitzer Freie Presse that he would not sit down with Friedrich. He doubted his genuine commitment to adequately addressing the GDR's past.

Both Thomas Geisel and Holger Friedrich regretted this withdrawal, as the conversation could certainly bring clarification and new impulses - and it would always be better for a democracy to talk to each other than to avoid each other.

The most important things in brief:

Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Admission: 6:30 p.m.

Start: 7:00 PM

Location: Luxor Congress & Event Center, Hartmannstraße 11, 09111 Chemnitz

On the podium:

Holger Friedrich , publisher of the Berliner Zeitung

Uwe Barthel , founding member of Stadtwerke Chemnitz

Thomas Geisel , Member of the European Parliament

Jan-Peter Warnke , Member of the European Parliament

The evening will be moderated by journalist Alexander Teske (“Inside Tagesschau”).

You can also follow the discussion via a livestream on berliner-zeitung.de.

Schedule of the evening:

6:30 p.m.: Admission and reception with drinks . 7:00 p.m.: Welcome by Thomas Geisel, MEP. 7:10 p.m.: Filmic impulse on the transformation of Chemnitz. 7:20 p.m.: Discussion Round I: The German Perspective. Focus: Personal experiences with the transformation process, the role of the media, and a critical assessment of the decisions made at the time. 8:00 p.m.: Discussion opens to questions from the audience . 8:20 p.m.: Discussion Round II: The European Dimension . Focus: The importance of Europe for unity, the lessons for current challenges in the EU, and the future of unity in Europe. 9:00 p.m.: Closing remarks and outlook by Jan-Peter Warnke, MEP. From 9:10 p.m.: Get-together with snacks and drinks.

Registration for the event is possible via Facebook or Eventbrite . Admission is free.

This is a European policy information event hosted by Thomas Geisel, a non-attached Member of the European Parliament. Disclaimer: The sole liability for this political or informational activity lies with the Member funding it. The European Parliament is not liable for any use of the information contained therein.