We Demand
Our Understanding
The Political System in Germany has a problem. Many people want change but feel that they are no longer represented, or even noticed by politics. Our society is becoming more and more diverse, but our parliaments are not. The Bundestag in particular is often more concerned with maintaining the status quo instead of keeping up with the rapid changes in society and helping shape the future with the bold decisions we need. For many people, this has led to a growing disillusion and disengagement with politics. Still, there is no shortage of people who get involved in politics. And yet, this is often only within Civil Society, and remains lackluster in the politics pf governance. We need a broad movement of new perspectives in positions of power.
Brand New Bundestag sees itself as an answer to this problem: We want Civil Society and Political Parties to join forces so that we can boldly shape our future together.
We see ourselves as a link between committed Civil Society and institutionalized politics. We want to bundle the progressive currents and trigger the momentum for true change. We advocate for more diversity in the Bundestag because only when people are adequately represented, can good decisions be made for the entire population.
In doing so, we see ourselves as an open movement that actively seeks to engage different parts of our society and promote diversity. We are building a progressive political platform to serve progressive forces – for innovation and change.
I Co-Founded BNB because we need Civil Society and Politics to work together in order to courageously shape the future
CLIMATE CRISIS: The Greatest Challenge of our time
Mankind is sliding toward an almost irreversible Climate Catastrophe. It is already becoming apparent that the 1.5-degree target will not be met. Germany is making a significant contribution to this and has already burned through more than half of its emissions budget set by the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. We will need to radically transform our economy and infrastructure. In particular, the energy sector must be immediately aligned toward emissions neutrality by phasing out coal and making a complete switch to renewable resources. Germany must become a role model and play a major part in spreading this process forward across Europe and the globe.
Companies and especially Energy Corporations must not be allowed to evade responsibility for their pollution and consequential damage any longer. Fair compensation for their pollution is a must – a polluter-pays principle, with effective prices based on the costs and damage of environmental destruction. They, having caused the most damage, must bear the brunt of the cost of the restructuring of our economy. These costs cannot fall on the poorest of us. They must be distributed in a socially just manner.
Greenhouse Gas emissions from the transport sector continue to be an issue, and those emissions are still rising. Urban populations in particular are suffering from increasingly poor quality air. Rightly so, several cities and municipalities declared a climate emergency in 2019. To promote climate and health protection and preserve the quality of life, a reconsideration is needed. Environmentally friendly mobility means turning away from air and personal vehicle traffic and expanding the rail and public transport sector. The supremacy of motorized individual transport must finally be broken – and we must not forget to cater to those in rural areas as well, as to break their reliance on the automotive industry.
Since the Post-War era, the motto of the agricultural industry in Germany has been “Always more, and always cheaper”. In order to meet those falling prices, farmers have both suffered and contributed to the climate crisis. With special attention given to animal products, most of which are created through factory farming, massive quantities of greenhouse gases are released and animals are kept in the most undignified and unethical conditions. We must counteract this with a foundational restructuring of our agriculture sector. Our current system is to the detriment of the environment, the animals, the climate, and the people and can no longer be tolerated. We need a climate-friendly and sustainable system, in which regional and local farmers who use sustainable and animal-friendly methods are promoted above all.
Social Justice: The foundation of our coexistence
Our education system is outdated and underfunded. The current education system has not adapted to the rapidly changing demands of the modern employment arena and neglects the promotion of innovation, analytical and critical thinking, the ability to work and direct independently, as well as communication skills. All too often, the education a student receives still depends on the income of the parents and their place of residence. The education of the future must include personal development, it must respect our differences and promote each individual’s potential. It must also be based on lifelong learning and allow people to continue their education even after leaving school. The ban on cooperation needs to be lifted so that educational institutions throughout Germany can learn with and from each other and so that state funds can be distributed more fairly. The influences of digitization must also be taken into account. Educational institutions must not only be up to date with the latest technology but also teach a critical mindset in regards to media, technology, information, and data. For more educational equity, we support school systems in which children learn together and from each other for as long as possible.
Social status must never determine who gets to be healthy. The German healthcare system must finally become fair; The two-tier medicine must be abolished. Profit maximization and economic efficiency can not form the basis of medical action at the expense of patients, doctors, and nurses. Especially health prevention and health care must be massively expanded and include both physical and mental health. Fundamental reform of the nursing system and upgrading of the profession itself is necessary to meet the challenges of the future. The possibilities of digitalization must be used consistently to enable uncomplicated, easy access to quality medical care. Every person must be able to make decisions about their own body. Everyone should participate in medical progress.
Despite the prosperity in our country, poverty can still be found everywhere. Two million children are affected by poverty. For many elderly people, especially women, their pension is not enough to live on. The current social systems are often more characterized by mistrust towards beneficiaries instead of responding to their needs and supporting them. We must work against loneliness in society and for a more cohesive community. We must invest in people’s potential and rely on their willingness to contribute their labor for the common good. We support solutions that are based on the principle of solidarity for all citizens and therefore welcome the testing of new models, such as a universal basic income.
No matter what reason people migrate for, human dignity must always be the overriding guideline of our migration policy. Migration offers numerous opportunities. In this way, we can counter the shortage of skilled workers and the aging society and promote diversity. Participation and involvement are important factors. Integration can only succeed if immigrants have easy access to the labor market and can be allowed to quickly learn the German language. Immigrants have a right to opportunity, and to contribute to our society.
Tax avoidance and tax evasion cost our nation billions every year. These funds are not available to finance social systems and investments. Our tax system is designed not only to generate revenue for the state, but also to create social balance and ensure that burdens are distributed fairly. At the same time, however, it is often the strongest in our society, the rich and multinational companies, that avoid responsibility through tax avoidance and tax evasion. We call for consistent prosecution of tax evaders and a reform of the tax system that provides greater relief for low-income earners and ensures that existent tax loopholes are closed.
The social debate of recent years has increasingly been characterized by hatred and polarization. Minorities in particular are being subjected to increasing hostility. Democratic discourse is becoming increasingly difficult. We must take measures to counteract this development. Freedom of expression must be preserved, but hate crime and incitement to hatred must be combated more effectively – both online and on the street. At the same time, we must actively support democracy and diversity of opinion and involve people who have turned away from our democratic processes because they no longer feel represented. Here, too, the state must work more actively with Civil Society – those Civil Society actors who defend our democracy every day.
Sustainable Economics: An Economy that benefits everyone
Our economic system is not sustainable. We are using up our planet’s finite resources at an ever faster rate, robbing current and future generations of their prospects. We demand a substantial effort towards the development of a circular economy that is oriented towards sustainability over growth. Constant growth at the expense of ecological resources can not remain the main goal of our economic policy. The state must take on a greater regulatory role in ecological and social issues and ensure that companies are held liable and responsible for the ecological and social costs of their actions. The possible negative effects on distributive justice must be adequately cushioned. Only in this way can we ensure that future generations can also live in prosperity.
Ten years after the biggest financial crisis of the 21st century, there are still no signs of fundamental change in our financial system. The root of the issue was never eliminated. Instead of far-reaching reforms, we went ‘business as usual’. Future financial crises are already looming. We need a radical restructuring of the financial system, so that not only the financial return counts, but also social return. Those Financial transactions must be taxed appropriately.
More and more people in Germany are working themselves to death. The number of mental illnesses caused by overwork is steadily increasing. Yet digitization and automation offer unique opportunities to improve the way we work. Far too often, we cling to traditional work models and working hours. We are calling for shorter working hours and more flexibility for employees, with social security at the same time. In the long term, our understanding of what work and productivity look like must also evolve. Many employees in fields such as nursing perform essential work for our society but suffer from catastrophic working conditions and low pay. This must change. Let’s rethink what work means instead of being afraid of its future!
The innovation landscape in Germany is limping. Despite the supremacy of industry in many areas and outstanding groundwork research, we often rest on the laurels of the past. The opportunities offered by digitization in particular have been ignored for years. We urgently need improved and future-oriented innovation support. Here, the state can provide important impetus and work together with both business and Civil Society. This requires support for startups and innovative business models. We need to be bold with our investments for the future, and accompany that with regulation that allows freedom while at the same time protecting consumers from malicious business practices. Good regulation focuses on fundamental rights, supports sustainable business models, and leaves room for innovation. Social entrepreneurship needs its own funding structure.
Our country’s infrastructure has been neglected for decades, jeopardizing the basis of our economic and social activities. We are calling for a major investment in rail expansion and the promotion of sustainable mobility. Roads must be prepared now to promote autonomous driving. Our communications infrastructure must finally be brought into the 21st century. Power lines must ensure that sustainably produced electricity can reach all parts of the country, regardless of population density. We also need an investment offensive in education, in cooperation between the federal and state governments, to restore ailing schools and make them fit for the future. These measures require a departure from the short-sighted policy of budget consolidation and the black zero. At the same time, planning procedures must be simplified so that investments can be better implemented.
I Co-Founded Brand New Bundestag because I want to bring people into the Bundestag who I trust to make a difference in our fight for our future
We support the demands of Civil Society and remain independent of major backers. Help us! Every cent counts!
EUROPE: Strengthened and United with a networked community
The European project is in a deep crisis. In many EU countries, we are seeing the rise of nationalism, and a shift away from the European idea. Europe needs a common plan for the future in order to be able to speak as one voice. We stand for a strengthening of European unity and the institutions of the European Union. Reforms must be tackled boldly. The EU should be given more powers, not fewer because together the European countries are stronger. In this context, the regions of the individual member states and the strengthening of a networked European civil society are particularly important. We also need a realistic membership perspective for the EU’s neighboring countries, because this increases the EU’s credibility. We must consistently support potential members in their reform efforts.
With a comprehensive and systematic investment program, the EU can be the engine of a sustainable and socially responsible global economic policy. European member states have understood that they are stronger as a community. The economic and social upswing of the past 70 years has proven them right. At the same time, the obsessive austerity policies of the last ten years have also highlighted and reinforced the major differences between the member states. We need more solidarity in Europe again, with social equalization and protection for the weakest in society. A Green New Deal can be a starting point for ecological innovation and sustainable investment.
With its diversity, culture, and science, Europe is an attractive place to live. The European Union offers unique legal security. With our constitutional European values of freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and human dignity Europe can set a global standard. This can only be done on an equal footing with other states and regions. We want to learn from each other and exchange more – on both a European and global level. Europe should lead the world in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and green economics. In doing so, we want to set a social and ethical standard that puts people and nature at the center. In this way, Europe will become the engine of a modern, global society.
Current European migration and border policies are often in direct contradiction to the values to which we as the European Union are committed. We demand for people who have to flee from war, hunger, and poverty the possibility to enter Europe legally and in a safe way. People do not voluntarily leave their homes to cross the Mediterranean in an overcrowded boat. Thousands of people die every year, partially because sea rescue is suspended and even criminalized as a deterrent. We demand that the European states adhere to the international law of the sea and rescue all people in distress off Europe’s coasts. We support the designation of German cities as “safe havens” to speed up the distribution of people rescued in the Mediterranean.
I am involved in Brand New Bundestag to encourage the increasingly loud and united voice of the progressivism in society that wants to bring their vision of the world into the Bundestag
