Steinmühlen High School showed great interest in engaging with the candidates

All of the district’s leading candidates running in the upcoming state legislative election gathered on stage at the Steinmühle Forum to share their views on controversial political issues with 12th and 13th graders. The politicians devoted most of their energy to distinguishing themselves from their political opponents.

Speaking before a packed auditorium, in front of students who will be first-time voters this year or next, was likely what made this event so appealing to the candidates. The questions to be addressed were provided by Jonathan Eckardt and Jan Templer. They are students in the advanced “Politics and Economics” course in the 12th grade at Steinmühlen High School.

The questions posed by the two young moderators and the follow-up questions from the audience focused, among other things, on opinions regarding the phase-out of the internal combustion engine, attitudes toward gender equality, and gender-neutral language, as well as Marburg’s “Move 35” transportation plan and the related question of how people from the surrounding areas—especially older residents of the city’s neighborhoods—should envision their future mobility. General issues were also discussed, such as the proposed solution to the teacher shortage or the environmental protection measures that the candidates considered both feasible and appropriate—to name just a few examples.

Given the generally well-known positions of the individual parties, there were few surprises in the answers. The candidates’ stances were sometimes polarizing, and if there was one thing that could be described as exemplary about the event, it was the fact that it took place in a mostly objective atmosphere.

There would have been plenty more “material” to continue the discussion. Unfortunately, however, the allotted time—90 minutes—was not enough. In any case, there is certainly no sign of the political apathy among young people that is often claimed in public discourse here at the Steinmühle.

Thanks to the efforts of subject teacher Dr. Claudia Röder, Steinmühle High School succeeded in inviting the candidates from all political parties, without exception, to participate in the school event. Principal Björn Gemmer thanked her and the political guests for this extraordinary and fruitful morning, which likely served as another important step toward helping the student body form their own political opinions.

This lineup promised a lively discussion. Participating in the political discussion with the students (from left) were Jan Schalauske (Die Linke), Sebastian Sack (SPD), Angela Dorn (Alliance 90/The Greens), Lisa Deißler (FDP), Dirk Bamberger (CDU), and Pascal Schleich (AfD). Jonathan Eckardt and Jan Templer (center) moderated the morning session.

 

Caught on camera:

Angela Dorn (Alliance 90/The Greens)

The phase-out of the internal combustion engine was an EU decision. That is often forgotten.

The Federal Constitutional Court has also ruled that there are more than two genders. Incidentally, this can also be observed in the animal kingdom.

We have doubled funding for road repairs. The FDP, however, is always in favor of new construction, but never of maintenance.

It takes too long to plan bike paths in Germany.

When it comes to local public transportation, we continue to support the “Every Village, Every Hour” initiative. However, this cannot be free of charge.

Our greatest resource is our mind.

We need a genuine educational revolution. Steinmühle can serve as a role model in this regard.

Go abroad! Take the time to look closely. Do internships! (Addressed to the student body, regarding career guidance).

Our prosperity is at risk if we do not meet our climate goals.

 

Dirk Bamberger (CDU)

We need to recognize that even electricity is not entirely CO2-neutral.

I take a critical view of gender-neutral language. For people with disabilities, it makes language more complicated.

Move35 suddenly disappeared behind closed doors. The concept is aimed at the car.

In 10 to 15 years, we may have autonomous vehicles, including buses.

Student tickets for everyone—we also need to consider how this will be funded.

In Hesse, we currently have more teachers than ever before, with fewer students than ever before—and more school psychologists than ever before.

 

Lisa Deißler (FDP)

The question arises as to whether the timing (for phasing out the internal combustion engine) is wise. And whether we have the infrastructure for charging (electric cars).

When it comes to Move35, there’s a lot I don’t understand either.

For a Green Party transportation minister (Tarek Al Wazir), the rail and bike paths in Hesse are underdeveloped.

We need private transportation. Otherwise, things will get bleak in the outlying neighborhoods.

We need technology for the future and must continue our research in that direction.

When it comes to renovation, government buildings need to be addressed first before imposing regulations on the public.

 

Pascal Schleich (AfD)

Phasing out the internal combustion engine is a complete mistake. We simply don’t have the energy for electric cars.

People are laughing at us. Biologically speaking, there are only two sexes.

Teachers have a higher rate of sick leave than people in other professions. This is due to overwork.

We support the preservation of special education schools. Inclusive classrooms require trained teachers.

When it comes to climate protection, we need to get others on board and, first and foremost, hold them accountable.

 

Sebastian Sack (SPD)

We need to take responsibility. In the long run, this means the end of the internal combustion engine.

Remote villages in the county still rely on private transportation.

I’m in favor of small buses and frequent service.

The community bus is a useful service.

Education must be free—whether it’s a vocational certificate or a master’s degree.

It is important to renovate houses.

We should stop picking on each other.

 

Jan Schalauske (The Left)

We must do everything we can to meet our climate goals. Phasing out internal combustion engines is the right thing to do.

I see the issue of gender language the same way Ms. Dorn does. It has to do with respect.

Roads should be repurposed to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

The car-sharing concept is important for rural areas.

My vision for local public transportation: free of charge, no fare.

Educational success still depends on parents’ income.

To increase the number of teachers, we should focus on attracting people from other fields.

The school bell served as a stark reminder that class was over. Otherwise, the 11th-grade class would likely have continued chatting with Angela Dorn for hours. The Hessian Minister of Science and the Arts was a guest at the Steinmühle Energy Forum—fully aware that she would meet well-informed students there, as she had mentioned beforehand. Thorough preparation on the one hand, credible, thoughtful answers, and an ability to meet them on their level on the other—that is likely the secret to a fruitful dialogue with young people on the cusp of becoming first-time voters. But let’s take it one step at a time.

It became clear in the first part of the event that the students of subject teachers Erno Menzel, Carmen Bastian, and Dr. Claudia Röder had thoroughly explored the topic of energy. Classes 11a through 11e took a close look at liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a potential alternative to natural gas, explaining its advantages, disadvantages, and properties. A similar analysis was conducted on the topic of nuclear power plants—though, of course, not without pointing out the potential dangers and the unresolved problem of final storage for nuclear waste. They also examined whether electric cars can save the climate. Here, issues such as child labor, lithium mining and its water requirements, the recycling problem with batteries, and infrastructure related to charging stations came into play, as well as the potential forced relocation of people in mining regions. The energy consumption associated with digitalization was also discussed, as was an interview with Claudia Schnabel, mayor of the large municipality of Fronhausen/Lahn, and the results of a survey showing that, on average, respondents were willing to be part of the climate transition.

 

For Better European Connectivity

“It’s not every day we have a minister visit the school,” said Principal Björn Gemmer happily as he welcomed the guest. And so it was time to ask Angela Dorn some pressing questions. Whether carbon capture—that is, the underground storage of CO2—is an adequate solution. “We need this as an additional measure,” said the minister, adding that Germany is on the right track with it. When asked about the nuclear phase-out, the minister stated that it was inevitable. After all, she explained, the key question is what to do with radioactive waste—a question that is always answered according to the “not in my backyard” principle: “Please, not here.” “We are currently still dependent on nuclear power, including from other countries,” the guest acknowledged. However, she added, this cannot be the future. Angela Dorn cited government subsidies for companies that reduce their energy consumption as one possible solution. “Speed and flexibility are essential here. And we must respond with pinpoint precision.”

Another student wanted to discuss the idea of harnessing solar energy from Africa. “The local population must also benefit,” the minister replied, calling for even better European coordination and the full utilization of the potential of existing open spaces.

The shift toward walking, biking, or using public transportation presents Angela Dorn with the challenge of widespread adoption of electric cars. “We won’t be able to achieve the energy transition with electric cars alone.” Angela Dorn sees the introduction of the Deutschland-Ticket, for example, as the right step in the right direction. Connecting “every hour, every village” via public transportation is the goal when it comes to public transit. The student body viewed this effort with some skepticism, and was critical of the lack of or insufficient support for implementing certain private initiatives related to the energy transition.

 

No Deindustrialization

The event with the minister concluded with a few remarks from her. Citizens should be offered a wider range of energy-related behaviors and measures to choose from, and she stated: “We can only achieve this by making it appealing.” It is clear to Angela Dorn that it is significantly easier to conserve energy resources in urban areas than in rural areas, and that it is fundamentally wrong to place the burden on the shoulders of individual people. We must not accept deindustrialization, nor the undermining of all rights by the so-called “Last Generation.”

The term “motivation” came up frequently in the debate. It made it clear that, in the minister’s view, the focus should be on encouragement rather than on imposing rules. The discussion also touched on the need to strive for intergenerational justice and, despite everything, the importance of social cohesion: “None of us,” Angela Dorn concluded, “should be left behind in this transformation.”

The following additional topics were discussed or touched upon during the 11th-grade Energy Forum and the visit by Angela Dorn, Hesse’s Minister of Science and the Arts: Nutrition, set-aside of agricultural land, privatization of the UKGM, dead zones in cellular coverage, the e-highway test route for trucks on the A5, and speed limits.