Positive balance on the Day of German Unity in Bremen

High-ranking politicians celebrated, warned and appeared close to the people. Political institutions presented their work. What is the initial assessment of the central festival in Bremen?

Hundreds of thousands of people celebrated German Unity Day in Bremen. Photo: Focke Strangmann/dpa

Bremen. After the central celebration on German Unity Day in Bremen, the police drew a positive conclusion. It was a largely peaceful festival, said a police spokeswoman on Sunday morning. During smaller demonstrations on the sidelines of the holiday, there were individual attacks on the police and temporary arrests. The security authorities are in Bremen with numerous federal and state forces.

Steinmeier calls for the defense of democracy

Hundreds of thousands of people and Germany's political leaders came to the celebrations. In his speech, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recalled unification as a moment of happiness in German history and, with a view to the strengthening of the AfD, called for the defense of democracy.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner (CDU), ministers and heads of government from the federal states came together for a service and ceremony. Under the eyes of numerous security guards, they chatted with visitors to the festival and had their photos taken with them.

Festivities continue until Sunday evening

The celebrations under the motto “Many Strengths - One Country” will last until late Sunday evening - with numerous information stands from political institutions, authorities and all federal states. There are also cultural and culinary offerings, discussions, guided tours and free concerts. The central festival this year is in Bremen because the smallest federal state holds the presidency of the Federal Council.