Pre-Election Reportage: Zamperoni and Wellmer Explore German Concerns

As Germany approaches a snap federal election, prominent television hosts Ingo Zamperoni and Jessy Wellmer embark on a journey across the country to discover what truly matters to its citizens. Their findings will be showcased in the 60-minute documentary titled What Moves Germany?, which delves into pressing issues such as immigration, economic challenges, and the impact of war on the populace.

This NDR-produced feature is currently available for streaming on the ARD Mediathek and will air tonight at 8:15 PM on Erste. The documentary is designed to serve as a barometer of public sentiment, intentionally excluding political interviews and party agendas. Zamperoni emphasized that the focus is on capturing an authentic snapshot of societal concerns rather than engaging in political debates.

Throughout their travels, Zamperoni and Wellmer engage with a diverse array of individuals, including a master painter anxious about the potential deportation of his Syrian employees, a conscientious objector who has decided to enlist as a reservist, a family with a long history of employment at Ford in Cologne, and a business owner advocating for a more demanding work environment. They also visit a small village of 280 residents where plans for a refugee accommodation center are underway.

By interacting with these individuals, Zamperoni and Wellmer aim to understand the motivations behind their choices, their fears, and their aspirations. Wellmer highlighted the importance of asking these questions without prejudice, noting that exploring different perspectives can reveal that straightforward answers often do not address the complexities of real issues.

After their extensive journey, the hosts reflected on the sentiments shared by the people they met. Wellmer noted that many expressed a sense of hope, believing that German society remains resilient enough to find solutions to its challenges. While a feeling of uncertainty pervades, there was a noticeable absence of despair among the majority of those interviewed.