Reinforce Connections
In the heart of Germany, the city of Düsseldorf is led by a man who values democracy deeply. Dr. Stephan Keller, a native of Aachen and a family man with three children, has been the Mayor of Düsseldorf since November 1, 2020.
Dr. Keller is no stranger to times of crisis, working closely with the head of the crisis staff in Düsseldorf during these challenging periods. He believes that crises are essential for politics as they reveal strengths and weaknesses, aligning with the view of Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble.
Democracy, for Dr. Keller, is more than just a system of government. He sees it as a means to ensure respect and protection of individual dignity, balance individual freedom and equality, and guarantee peace and prosperity. This belief is reflected in his open communication style, where he makes decisions transparently to gain understanding from those who may have a different opinion.
In the face of personal insults, which Dr. Keller acknowledges are now common in public offices, especially during the Corona pandemic, he stands firm. He does not tolerate racism, anti-Semitism, hate, or incitement in democracy and reports any form of insult or threat to the police, whether it is directed against him personally or against the employees of the city administration.
Düsseldorf, under Dr. Keller's leadership, is a city that embraces its Rhenish traditions, such as carnival and shooting, while also being cosmopolitan, tolerant, and international. The city is an international economic location and a popular target for foreign direct investments.
Dr. Keller is also a strong advocate for democracy beyond his role as Mayor. He mentions Sven Lilienstrom's initiative "Faces of Democracy" in his interviews, an initiative that brings together 100 prominent personalities from politics, business, and society, as well as over one million supporters. More information about the initiative can be found at www.faces-of-democracy.org.
The city of Düsseldorf has several major sporting events in its calendar for the next few years, including the Invictus Games in 2023, the football European Championship in 2024, and the bid for the Universiade 2025. Despite the absence of direct search results explicitly quoting or summarizing Dr. Keller's personal views on democracy and democratic values, his actions and initiatives speak volumes about his commitment to democracy.
However, it is worth noting that the city does not currently have plans for another Grand Départ of the Tour de France, a passion Dr. Keller discovered during the Grand Départ in Düsseldorf.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Keller remains committed to keeping the city society together and strengthening forces that give a sense of solidarity. He emphasizes the 'we' to foster unity and mutual respect, ensuring that Düsseldorf remains a city that values its traditions while embracing the future.
- Dr. Keller's leadership in Düsseldorf extends beyond the city's borders, as he advocates for democracy in various platforms, such as the "Faces of Democracy" initiative.
- Amidst the rise of public insults, particularly during the Corona pandemic, Dr. Keller stands firm against racism, anti-Semitism, hate, and incitement, reporting any form of insult or threat to the police.
- Düsseldorf, led by Dr. Keller, is not only an economic powerhouse, attracting foreign direct investments, but also a city that upholds tolerance and internationalism, engaging in Rhenish traditions and international sporting events.
- As a strong supporter of democracy, Dr. Keller's initiatives and actions reflect his commitment, even though specific policy-and-legislation or business-related statements about democratic values may not be readily found in general news or crime-and-justice reports.
