Gillamoos: A Bavarian political tradition

Thu 6th Sep, 2012

Since 1313 the "Gillamoos" Volksfest (folk festival) has been celebrated the first weekend in September in the town in Abensberg in Lower Bavaria. For more than 50 years, the Monday after this weekend is honoured as an annual tradition. On this morning, all political parties invite politicians to speak in one of the beer tents at the same time. One year before elections this year even chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) showed up for the CSU. Besides praising CSU politics, Merkel emphasised the positive role of EU for Germany.

The SPD invited their candidate for the next year´s election in Bavaria, Munich´s mayor Christian Ude. For the FDP, the chair of the party in Schleswig-Holstein, Wolfgang Kubicki, who did unexpectedly well in the local elections a few months ago, held an address. Additionally, the Green party chair of the parliamentary group in Berlin, Jürgen Trittin, came to Bavaria to speak at the same event. As a more regional based party, Freie Wähler again invited local party chair Hubert Aiwanger.

As always "Gillamoos" was a place more for direct talk than polite diplomacy, which is a real Bavarian tradition.


Left Party Criticizes SPD's Pension Reform Proposal Amidst Ongoing Debate

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has introduced a new proposal to reform the pension system in Germany, sparking immediate criticism from various political groups, particularly the Left Party. The...

Baerbock Responds to Instagram Criticism and Shares Insights on Political Communication

Annalena Baerbock, currently serving as President of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, has addressed the ongoing debate surrounding her social media presence. Her Instagram videos,...

Chancellor Merz Engages with Citizens in ARD's Arena on Key National Issues

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated in a live broadcast event, 'Arena', organized by ARD, where he directly addressed questions from the public on pressing national matters. The program...

Syria Struggles to Recover One Year After Assad's Overthrow

One year after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Syria continues to grapple with the extensive aftermath of more than a decade of conflict. Despite the initial optimism following the collapse of the...

Farmers' Protest Forces Temporary Closure of Heraklion Airport on Crete

On the Greek island of Crete, large-scale protests by farmers led to a significant disruption at Heraklion's Nikos Kazantzakis Airport. According to police reports, hundreds of farmers breached...

Alexander Gauland Faces Growing Isolation Within AfD Amidst Criticism of Merkel's CDU

Alexander Gauland, a prominent figure in the Alternative for Germany (AfD), is experiencing increasing isolation both within his own party and in the German Bundestag. Once seen as a key strategist...

More Quick Read Articles »
German PKV Insurance

German Private Health Insurance

Both private Health Insurance in Germany and public insurance, is often complicated to navigate, not to mention expensive. As an expat, you are required to navigate this landscape within weeks of arriving, so check our FAQ on PKV. For our guide on resources and access to agents who can give you a competitive quote, try our PKV Cost comparison tool.

Hospitals

Hospital and Clinic Directory

Germany is famous for its medical expertise and extensive number of hospitals and clinics. See this comprehensive directory of hospitals and clinics across the country, complete with links to their websites, addresses, contact info, and specializations/services.

Events

Upcoming Events

Christmas Concert with the German-American Community Choir

Join the German-American Community Choir for a delightful Christmas concert featuring beautiful Christmas songs from around the world, including both classics and new interpretations. Embark on a musical journey to celebrate the festive season! This family-friendly concert will take place on Friday...