Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) has called on citizens and politicians to be courageous and not to lose their nerve, even under the difficult conditions of the corona pandemic.

In her welcoming speech to the Federal Assembly on Sunday in Berlin, she said: "People who have different attitudes seem to be irreconcilable.

The mood in the country, in families, in circles of friends suffers as a result.

No vaccine will help against that.”

With the Ukraine conflict, uncontrolled migration movements, climate change and the recent price increases, further challenges would arise.

That is why courage, confidence and a respectful tone when dealing with those who think differently are now so important.

"Let's not be persuaded that we cannot solve the pending problems," said Bas before the start of the election of the Federal President, which due to the pandemic did not take place in the plenary hall of the Bundestag, but in the neighboring Paul-Löbe-Haus, where more space is available.

"Let's face it, fear doesn't help," Bas said.

The meeting of the Federal Assembly and the election of the new head of state showed: "Our state works even in difficult times."

Bas called on the MPs present to listen to the citizens even more, because that could only enrich the debate in parliamentary democracy.

Addressed to violent and intolerant corona deniers and opponents of the protective measures, she said.

"Anyone who abides by the law can demonstrate - but whoever creates their own right, the right to the sole truth, is doing wrong."

Day of reconciliation after bombing of Dresden

Bas campaigned for celebrating the anniversary of the bombing of Dresden in World War II as a day of reconciliation.

"Let's remember that in the past we have always overcome what separated us," she said.

The history of the day shows that.

On February 13, 1945, historic Dresden was largely destroyed in an Allied bombing raid.

Bas turned against the attempted instrumentalization of the day, especially by right-wing extremists, in recent years.

“Politicians have repeatedly made use of these dead people, the devastating bombardment, and the suffering of those who escaped,” she said.

This did not end even with the fall of the Iron Curtain.

"Furthermore, attempts were made to balance the millions of victims of the devastating world war that had emanated from Germany, to spread revisionist ideas, to downplay German guilt, even in relation to the millions of victims of the Shoah," said the President of Parliament.

Every year on February 13, Dresden commemorates the destruction of the city and the victims of National Socialism and war.

On Sunday, a human chain around the old town was invited.

The motto of this year's Dresden War Memorial Day is "Remembering for a future of peaceful coexistence in diversity".

Several hundred right-wing extremists also gathered for a march.