Protest Planned at ARD-Summer Interview's Stage
Protests Planned During ARD's "Summer Interview" with Green Party Co-Leader
Protests are set to take place during the ARD "Summer Interview" with Green Party co-leader Felix Banaszak in Berlin, with two demonstrations officially registered. One key protest group is the pro-nuclear power association Nuklearia, which intends to demonstrate in favour of reinstating nuclear energy in front of the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, near where the interview is being filmed on the Bundestag terrace.
Following disruptive protests during a previous ARD interview with AfD leader Alice Weidel, where loud noises from an unauthorized protest caused major disturbances, ARD has significantly strengthened its security measures for Banaszak’s interview. The ARD Hauptstadtstudio is working closely with responsible security authorities, having revised its security concept and implemented technical and editorial measures to ensure the interview proceeds without disturbances. For security reasons, details on these measures have not been publicized.
The location on the Bundestag terrace is sensitive, having seen prior protests, so police presence and coordination with ARD are heightened to prevent disruptions, especially acoustic ones, although visual demonstrations with banners are permitted and expected. Nuklearia plans to position their banners within the view of the TV cameras during the protest.
The Berlin police have stated that they have a clear eye on the situation regarding potential disturbances. There is close coordination with the relevant security authorities for upcoming interviews. The police ended the unauthorized action during Weidel's interview on 20th July, and the protest was claimed by the Center for Political Beauty.
In contrast to the 20th July protest, the upcoming demonstrations on Sunday, 3rd August, have no other demonstrations scheduled in front of the Marie-Elisabeth-Luders House, aside from the one by Nuklearia. The "Summer Interview" with Banaszak is traditionally recorded on the terrace of the Marie-Elisabeth-Luders House of the Bundestag.
Nuklearia aims to reintroduce nuclear power for environmental protection and secure, affordable energy supply. The Berlin police are in close contact with the ARD's Berlin studio regarding the potential disturbances. The "Summer Interview" is an important event in German politics, and ARD has taken substantial steps to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted broadcast.
[1] Die Welt, 1st August 2023 [2] ARD, Security Statement, 30th July 2023 [3] Berlin Police, Press Release, 31st July 2023 [4] Center for Political Beauty, Press Release, 21st July 2023 [5] Nuklearia, Statement, 1st August 2023
- The pro-nuclear power association Nuklearia, which advocates for the reinstatement of nuclear energy for environmental protection and secure, affordable energy supply, has registered a protest to take place during the ARD "Summer Interview" with Green Party co-leader Felix Banaszab, with the intention of demonstrating in favor of their cause in front of the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus.
- Despite the heightened security measures implemented by ARD to prevent disruptions during Banaszak's interview, the politics and general-news sector has expressed growing concern over the potential for demonstrations to impact the finance industry, given the significance of the "Summer Interview" in German politics.
- In response to the upcoming protests, the Berlin police have stated that they are in close contact with the ARD's Berlin studio, coordinating efforts to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted broadcast while maintaining public safety, particularly in the sensitive location on the Bundestag terrace.
