A citizen of the people
Who doesn't know it from the television news? The blue wall. The bright wooden letters on it promising: Federal Press Conference. Seated at the long counter are representatives of the federal government, political parties and associations of national importance, providing information to the journalists in front of them. On this evening, too, a few scattered reporters are scattered among the rows of chairs, and a politician has taken a seat at the front. There is even a whole series of press conferences. But the only thing real this evening is the impressive backdrop. The blue wall. The bright wooden letters on it that promise: Federal Press Conference. The rest is theatre. A political farce. Just a thought experiment. Hopefully. Dominik Arndt enters with a spring in his step, smiling warmly and greeting everyone politely. He has travelled directly from his Free State, where the Democratic Alliance party has just won the election with 44% of the vote. He walks straight up to Theo Koll's microphone – yes, it really is him interviewing him, but he hardly gets a word in.
Original sound Koll/Hinrichs
Believe that and you'll be happy. Citizen of the people Arndt hurries on, he has a press conference to give here, after all. At which he immediately tries to influence everyone, twists the critical words of inquiring journalists, constantly cuts off the moderator and never tires of proclaiming his ideas about the future politics and course of action in the Free State.
Original sound Hinrichs
The slip of the tongue is, of course, intentional, and according to Dominik Arndt's wishes, no asylum seekers should be granted residence permits. However, this is – in theory and in reality – federal law.
Original sound government spokesperson
In his text ‘Volksbürger’ (Citizen of the People), lawyer and author Maximilan Steinbeis plays through what happens in such an issue: The federal government sends a federal commissioner to study files on site and get an overview of the situation. If he is refused cooperation, as is the case here in the Free State, federal coercion remains. This is described in Article 37 of the Basic Law and serves to enforce law and order. In Dominik Arndt's case, even the federal police have to be called in. The prime minister flees. But give up? Never. From exile – via video link – he remains confident of victory. Fabian Hinrichs plays the unshakeable and unbearable Dominik Arndt as a smart man of the people – and seducer who masters many tones, from warm to imperious, quiet to loud, understanding to disturbing.
This ambitious evening naturally has a huge resonance in reality. There are no lines spoken on this (special) stage, no developments shown, that could not immediately become reality. Not only in Thuringia.