Inauguration at the City Council meeting on 5 May 2021

Speech at the inauguration

Honourable honorary citizens,

Honourable members of the German Bundestag,

Members of the Saxon State Parliament and the Chemnitz City Council,

Dear fellow mayors,

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Dear people of Chemnitz,

Perhaps you have just recognised the melody.

Have you tried everything?

Have you tried everything?

Have you done everything?

If not, get started

Have you really lived?

Has your world really turned?

Have you done everything?

If not, start

The song "Wir sind am Leben" by the band Rosenstolz speaks to me from the soul. It asks all the questions that are important in our lives as human beings, as mothers or fathers, as partners, friends, citizens.

Finding answers to all these questions together with you in our home city is a wonderful task that I am officially taking on today as Lord Mayor of the City of Chemnitz.

It may sound pathetic, but serving such a wonderful city is a matter close to my heart, and at the same time a challenge that I face with the greatest respect.

Chemnitz and I - we have belonged together since I started grammar school here in 1986. I spent my teenage years here and I am rooted here. I am not only networked here, but also grounded.

Chemnitz has become my home and my way of life. That is why this inauguration is a solemn and very moving moment for me.

I would like to thank the people of Chemnitz. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This office demands a lot, especially in turbulent times like the ones we are all experiencing right now. And yet I am confident that we can and will continue to successfully move our city forward together. I know how great the responsibility is, how high the expectations are. On us as a "city" and on me in particular.

I hope to work together with this city council, with you, in a spirit of trust and will approach all those who are committed to democratic values and an open society. With a contentious culture of debate in which we treat each other with mutual respect.

Even if we disagree or set different priorities, we should always keep the well-being of the city and its citizens in mind when making decisions.

When I announced my candidacy for Lord Mayor in September 2019, no one had any idea what was in store for us from March 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic has dominated our social life ever since. Homeschooling, closed shops and restaurants, working from home, lack of leisure activities. Families, businesses and creatives at their limits. Not a time for easy answers. Not a time for easy decisions.

In addition to the economic consequences for the city, we all have to live with serious personal restrictions:

Closed cultural, sports and leisure facilities, a reduction in personal contacts, the cancellation of major concerts or traditional events such as our Christmas market, but above all the rising number of serious illnesses and the increase in deaths - none of this leaves anyone unscathed.

In addition, many people are worried about their own jobs and economic existence. The pandemic has taken a dramatic course.

This makes it all the more important that we not only maintain the economic foundations in our city, but also strengthen and further expand them. After all, they are the basis for Chemnitz to continue to develop well, for people to move here and enjoy living here.

This will be a key task over the next seven years and there is still a lot to do!

My predecessors have paved the way for us to get here. They have achieved a great deal for our city. They have moulded Chemnitz into a modern industrial city. I don't want to try to follow in their footsteps, but rather follow my own path without forgetting the tried and tested.

For me, respectful and direct interaction with the citizens of our city is extremely important. A direct line to all Chemnitz residents, in short: politics at eye level.

You can rely on my willingness to engage in dialogue and find solutions to problems. On my endeavour to get things done and move them forward, to do what is possible instead of saying what is not possible.

• Allowing more personal responsibility, but also taking responsibility myself.
  
• Creating transparency in political decisions so that the citizens of our city understand why we do or do not do certain things.
  
• Explaining our actions, even if we can't please everyone in the end.

That is what I have resolved to do.

I see the digital reorganisation of our administration as a priority. Citizens have a justified expectation that administrative services should be provided conveniently and cost-effectively.

One building block for this is a citizen app that provides information, offers support with problems and connects the people of Chemnitz with the administration as quickly as possible. The concept has been finalised and will be presented to the city council in the middle of the year.


Ladies and gentlemen,

What makes Chemnitz a special city for me?

It's the charm of short distancesthat inspires me. You can get everywhere quickly, on foot, by bike, by car and by public transport. And with the Chemnitz model, you can even get to the surrounding area, for example to Limbach-Oberfrohna in the not too distant future.

For me, Chemnitz is the attractive city centre, the lively districts and the active localities.

It is important to me that we see ourselves as one city in everything we do. Without throwing the special features of the city centre and districts overboard.

Because only together can we move Chemnitz forward. With this in mind, I am committed to constructive cooperation in preserving traditions and realising new ideas.

Our city is also special because of the art and culture on offer. We have a top-class five-sector theatre that only very few cities can afford. We do this out of conviction. Not primarily to entertain guests, but to offer the people of Chemnitz a cultural asset that they honour and appreciate. And we also have a diverse independent cultural scene that makes our city vibrant.

What I also really appreciate about our city is the sport, which not only inspires me as a spectator, but also motivates me as an athlete.

Sport has always played a major role in the city's history. Enthusiasm for sport is in the blood of the people of Chemnitz:

Whether on skates, on wheels, on gymnastics apparatus, with the ball, in athletics - many outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen from our city and the region have achieved success at Olympic Games, World and European Championships. We want to build on this success.

The basis for these successes is grassroots sport with its 221 clubs and almost 35,000 members, including more than 11,000 children and young people. This high number of active people is also what characterises Chemnitz. And we must do everything we can together to ensure that it stays that way after the pandemic.

But for me, the most important thing about Chemnitz is the people who make our city so special, who shape it and thus also characterise its image to the outside world.

I am therefore delighted that 20 Chemnitz residents have accepted my personal invitation today, who are representative of the social, cultural and professional diversity of our city.

The entrepreneur who gets stuck in every day is here. And the master craftsman who cultivates long traditions. The start-up and innovation networker who brings new ideas and concepts to Chemnitz. The representative of the creative industries who helps to turn colourful ideas into products and collaborations.

The volunteers who, as president of a sports club, head of the volunteer fire brigade, railway enthusiast, founder of an initiative or a foundation, are committed to our urban society in their free time.

The director of a nursing home, the nurse in the intensive care unit or the nursery school teacher who care for people who are dependent on support with a lot of heart and passion.

People from Chemnitz who have something to tell. Like the survivor of the night of the bombing on 5 March 1945 or the civil rights activist who has rendered outstanding services to the Kaßberg prison as a place of learning and remembrance. The student who is committed to the community. The tour guide who shows visitors the exciting corners of our city.

The migrant who has found a new home here and is making a contribution. The athlete who loves this city and tells others about it, like the restaurateur who wants to be there for his guests again.

They are all very different people who are united by a common goal: to make our Chemnitz a little more liveable every day.

Many of you don't like to be in the spotlight, and yet I would like to focus public attention on you for the next few minutes.

Why are you here today?

You embody values and attitudes that are important to me and that I want to reflect in my work and during my time in office. Honesty, reliability, commitment, tenacity, will...

But above all, you are Chemnitz residents with all your heart.

A city in which people like you are committed, in which people like you live, is a rich city. Rich in values, standards, ideas, plans and visions.

Chemnitz has a well-connected civil society, committed associations, educational organisations, institutions and companies. This support of social commitment is important for the cohesion, development and success of our city. They give this togetherness a face and a voice.

And I promise you that, as Lord Mayor, I will always be available to listen to your ideas and opinions, your problems and concerns, your needs and fears. And I will help wherever the city's support is needed.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our city and the entire region have always been heavily dependent on a strong automotive and supplier industry, as well as on mechanical engineering, which in turn thrives on exports. And today we are facing fundamental changes, particularly in the area of mobility:

New drive concepts are replacing conventional petrol or diesel engines. However, what is certainly to be welcomed from an ecological point of view poses economic problems for a whole range of companies in practice. Increasing digitalisation will not only bring benefits, but will also make many traditional jobs redundant.

It is our joint responsibility to take a proactive approach to these changes, to accompany them and to create the conditions for new technologies to be developed and driven forward, which in turn will create new products and new jobs.

Our roots lie in Saxony's industrial history: mining, textile production, textile and machine tool manufacturing. Our future lies in technology fields such as microsystems electronics, sensor technology, autonomous driving, age tech, artificial intelligence and hydrogen technology.

I am proud that Chemnitz is providing impetus in these promising fields of research. Many companies have worked on this together with the city in recent years.

The Technology Campus is a place that is the envy of many. It is unique in Germany. A unique selling point, created on an empty field, but with a great vision. And that is exactly what characterises us Chemnitz residents: We have goals. And no matter how big the hurdles, we tackle them and get on with it!

The city and region are home to excellent, sustainable and up-and-coming companies. There is no time to lose in order to further strengthen Chemnitz economically.

For this to succeed, companies need competent contacts inside and outside the city hall who can advise and support them in their development.

I came into office with the promise that business would once again become a top priority in the town hall. And I want to fulfil this promise. Companies that want to locate or expand here must be given unbureaucratic support. It's about speedy authorisation procedures and investment security.

To this end, I have set up a "Business and Digitalisation Office" directly within my office, which deals specifically with companies' concerns and supports them. In addition, an Economic Advisory Board with competent members from companies, associations, chambers, trade unions and the Technical University contributes its expertise to Chemnitz's economic policy and helps to ensure that we make the right decisions.

It is important to me that we do not limit ourselves to our own city limits. Because if we want to pursue a good economic policy, it must also include the surrounding area in a strong regional network.

I will intensify co-operation with the surrounding area again, cultivate links with the mayors and district councillors more intensively in order to present ourselves as a region together.

However, a good economic policy does not only include large companies. It must also focus on SMEs, the retail trade, catering and the creative industries. And especially in the city centre.

The closure of Kaufhof, which was averted at least for the time being, was a clear warning shot. It shows how fragile the situation for traders in the city centre still is - and there are fears that the effects of the pandemic will exacerbate this situation even further.

That's why I want us to support retailers, creatives and restaurateurs as much as we can as a city. Be it by waiving fees, be it through a licensing policy that makes things possible rather than preventing them. Or through a targeted range of municipal and private cultural institutions that organise and stage events in the city centre as soon as this is possible again.

I have already regularly discussed all of these issues with representatives of local businesses in the past, and I would like to continue to do so.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A strong economy in our city always includes a strong university. On the one hand, because it enriches city life. On the other hand, however, because it also creates essential conditions for researching new technologies and developing new products.

In the truest sense of the word, it is the driving force behind our urban development. Year after year, it attracts young people from all over the world who, in the best case scenario, gain a foothold here in our city and the region after their studies, find a job and perhaps later start a family, thus helping Chemnitz to grow.

The Technical University is also an engine for innovation. It tells the success stories of young start-ups, which later become companies whose products are in demand not only in Europe, but worldwide. Companies such as Baselabs, Naventik, 3D-Micromac and Staffbase have emerged from our university and are now helping to ensure that the name of our city is recognised far beyond its borders. This is image advertising for Chemnitz that cannot be paid for with money.

If we want to strengthen our university and thus also our economy, this will only succeed in the long term with appropriate support from the Free State of Saxony and the federal government.

Of course, this also applies to the lack of a long-distance railway connection, which our city has been suffering from for a long time. The first step has been taken here. According to current plans, from July 2022 we will see an Intercity train travelling through our main station again for the first time in years, with a scheduled stop there. Further steps will have to follow and the fast train connection via Leipzig will also be realised if the federal and state governments keep their promises.

A very important issue in the future will be the question of environmentally friendly drives and energy storage systems. Our TU is already at the forefront here with the HZwo network, making Chemnitz a high-tech centre for fuel cells and hydrogen. For this reason, we are also in the final round for the location of the new national federal technology and innovation centre for hydrogen technologies.

I believe it is necessary to pay attention to sustainability in all areas. Not actionistically, but with sense and reason and a clear goal in mind.

For me, research into new drive systems, such as at Chemnitz University of Technology, is just as much a part of this as the expansion of the Chemnitz model and attractive public transport as an alternative to private cars and the creation of good and safe cycle paths.

The construction of the first cycle lane on Reichenhainer Straße between Lutherstraße and Campusplatz is an important first step in this direction.

Mitigating the effects of climate change is an important task that the city of Chemnitz is also pursuing. By reducing our carbon footprint to less than 4.4 tonnes by 2030, we are on our way to becoming a climate-neutral city.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A strong economy, an excellent university, modern infrastructure and a diverse cultural programme - all of these are important for a city. And yet there is something that is at least as important for our municipality:

Putting out fires, helping in disasters, training children, supporting migrants, making music together, beautifying the city, making Chemnitz's history accessible or simply listening.

Around 37 percent of people in Chemnitz volunteer in the approximately 1,800 clubs and other organisations and initiatives in our city.

These active volunteers are like the heart of a human body for our city. They make Chemnitz pulsate. They keep life going here. That is why I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you. Thank you for your tireless efforts for our fellow human beings, for all of us together! Thank you for your countless, unpaid hours! Thank you for having the courage to put yourself in danger for others! Chemnitz would not be the same, liveable and welcoming city without you.

I am convinced that the commitment you show every day must be more highly valued in our society. For me, this naturally includes being able to give something back to you, for example through discounted admission to museums or swimming pools.

Because we must not forget that: The diversity of voluntary work is one of the things that we put to good use in our bid to become European Capital of Culture 2025. The jury was impressed by the commitment and passion with which the people of Chemnitz stand up for their city.

Ladies and gentlemen,

There are moments that are etched in our memories. One of these moments is 28 October 2020, when at 1.27 p.m. the chair of the jury, Sylvia Amann, selected Chemnitz as the European Capital of Culture 2025.

Everyone in Chemnitz who kept their fingers crossed and cheered on knows exactly where they were at that moment. Many thanks at this point to the many people who fought for this goal with passion, tenacity and commitment.

A very special thank you goes to my predecessor in office, Barbara Ludwig. Dear Barbara, 2025 would not be our year without you!

It was worth it, because in 2025 we will show ourselves and, above all, our guests from near and far what our city has to offer and what makes it so special. In 2025, we will be a strong and fascinating host for Europe and talk to Europe about how we want to tackle common, important issues.

With the motto "C the Unseen", we have focussed on what is not visible at first glance. "See the unseen" is an invitation to our guests:

Look for the one or other previously hidden thing and discover the beautiful! Discover our lighthouses such as the museums, but also the Chemnitz Model, the TIETZ and the TU. And of course the towns and communities around Chemnitz. Because the Capital of Culture application is a prime example of cooperation between the city and the region.

Yes - the expectations of the title are high. But it must not be an end in itself. We didn't make this application for the jury or for a small, select group of people.

That is why I am committed to ensuring that this European Capital of Culture becomes a sustainable programme for Chemnitz that is completely and utterly in the interests of the city's citizens. Because only something for everyone - something that lasts - suits our city. This is the only way for guests from Germany and abroad to get to know an authentic Chemnitz.

There is not just one spotlight on the one museum, the one imposing building or the one event that attracts thousands of people. It is the many small spotlights that will make the city shine together in four years' time and beyond.

The European Capital of Culture year 2025 will be one for everyone! For you, dear people of Chemnitz, and for our welcome guests.

I hope that you will feel involved, that our European Capital of Culture will captivate you and touch your heart. Then we will all have created something for ourselves that we will be proud of and can be proud of.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear residents of Chemnitz,

When we went public with the idea of Capital of Culture in mid-August 2016, nobody had any idea of the significance of this title. Just two years later, the city has become a metaphor for right-wing extremism and its image has been tarnished by ugly images worldwide.

However, this problem does not only exist in Chemnitz, but in Germany, in Europe, all over the world. This makes it all the more important that we show what Chemnitz really stands for in 2025. But that alone is not enough.

We must protect those who are affected. We must support those who stand up against it together with us. And we must call on those who have not yet raised their voices: The silent majority, the quiet centre of our society - it must not leave the field to the few shouters. They must stand up for what makes our open urban society what it is:

Mutual respect, respect for human dignity and refraining from verbal and physical attacks - across all differing views and opinions. Because hatred and agitation - no matter against whom - are never the right way. Neither in our city nor anywhere else in the world.

With this conviction, I would like to set a good example as the head of the city and find solutions across party lines so that the city and our society can grow together again.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the social media, the question sometimes floats around as to what my vision of our city actually is - apart from balanced accounts and an economic budget. I admit: as a former treasurer and numbers man, a sound financial policy is important to me. This is especially true in difficult times like the ones we are currently experiencing. We will not be able to avoid setting priorities here. However, prioritising is not an end in itself, nor is saving at any price! It must serve a goal that is also my vision for the coming years:

• The vision of a flourishing metropolis that has recognised its peculiarities as a strength.
  
• A city of which we Chemnitz residents can confidently say that we enjoy living in it and demonstrate this as a matter of course.
  
• A city that we ourselves look upon with pride and others with respect. Because we no longer have to hide behind other cities!

I am convinced that we will succeed together.

Yes - we have experienced many ups and downs. But how often have we got back up again in Chemnitz? We have learnt so much from all these disruptions and written so many success stories. Let's start talking about them. Of success - made in Chemnitz.

"Then get started". Let's get started. Now.

Dear people of Chemnitz,

this is our time! Thanks to the European Capital of Culture title, we are the city in Germany with the largest and most far-reaching urban development project over the next four years and beyond. The European Capital of Culture is more than just an impulse. It is the most important project of the next few years that will enormously improve the face of our city and the way others perceive us.

We are making our Chemnitz even more beautiful:

• In the city on the river, the banks and floodplains will become attractive meeting places.
  
• Brownfield sites for which there is no sensible economic use will be transformed into green and recreational areas with the help of the city.
  
• Our city entrances, the major thoroughfares, will become a calling card that can be shown off.

There's something going on in Chemnitz again:

• Children and young people have fun and opportunities for fun sports here!
  
• There is a five-section theatre and a lively independent cultural scene.
  
• Festivals are raging in Chemnitz.
  
• Champions in sport come from here.

Here we invest in people's minds and in the future, build modern daycare centres and new schools and create good conditions for affordable housing and family friendliness.

Have you really lived?

Has your world really turned around?

Dear people of Chemnitz,

I hope that we can answer this question in the affirmative. I want all of us - young and old - to live really well here in Chemnitz. As your Lord Mayor, I will do everything I can to achieve this! Together with you!

Thank you very much!