Freiberg (dpa / sn) - Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has appealed to citizenship in the face of numerous crises. "The pandemic, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the economic fears about rising energy and food prices: Of course, this is leading to discussions everywhere in our country - in families, among friends, in companies," he said on Thursday Freiberg to award the Federal Cross of Merit to Saxon citizens. How things will continue in Germany and whether things will continue well is not decided solely on the government benches or in parliament in Berlin or Dresden. That is decided in each individual municipality. "Every citizen can contribute to keeping our society together, can get involved and help (...) Democracy is powerless without active citizens."
He is grateful for the experience that in many places in Germany a committed civil society is extremely lively, said Steinmeier. "A civil society in which many are committed to it and show that what unites our country is ultimately stronger than what divides us. That democratic dispute does not have to lead to division, but can also contribute to compromises and viable solutions. That justified criticism does not only have to result in complaints, in rejection and protest, but also in creative, joint actions and diverse committed initiatives."
Steinmeier then awarded several women and men the Federal Cross of Merit. The Leipzig scientist Julia Cissewski received the medal for her services to the protection of the last free-living orangutans on Borneo (Indonesia) and her commitment to environmental education. Carmen Hartung from Freiberg is committed to helping children and women affected by violence. Christine Hinkel from Annaberg-Buchholz is dedicated to the musical education of young people. Stefan Mertenskötter from Dresden was honored for his work in environmental protection and refugee aid, Roland Schöne from Chemnitz for his many years of commitment to adult education. Christian Schramm from Bautzen has made a name for himself as a local politician, Immo Stamm from Frankenberg is committed to the interests of physically disabled people.
Steinmeier had been in Freiberg since Tuesday. In his "Local Time Germany" series of events, he carried out his official business for three days from the Saxon mountain town.
