Former US President Barack Obama is visiting Berlin.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Despite Barack Obama’s visit, the hall is not sold out. But that doesn’t affect the atmosphere – on the contrary. Great applause and cheers accompany the 61-year-old American as he takes the stage.
Former US President Obama speaks in the Mercedes-Benz Arena at the Ostbahnhof in Berlin. According to the organizers, Obama wants to send a “message of positive and sustainable change”.
In an interview with moderator Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Obama talks about his time in the White House and the current global challenges. “We must strengthen our trust in democracy again,” warns Obama. People should fight harder for a future where they could live together despite the differences. His example of such cooperation – German top-level politics. Politicians like Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his predecessor Angela Merkel may belong to different parties, but they share the same values, he explains.
When it comes to climate change, the American turns to the younger generation. “Please don’t give up,” Obama tells her. The efforts to promote sustainable energy during his tenure were a step in the right direction, but politicians still have to do more to combat climate change.
Obama also warned against polarization of society and disinformation. “I think those are some of the biggest threats to democracy,” Obama said. “Some young people believe that everything they see on Tiktok is true.” He calls for clear regulations in dealing with AI and the promotion of media skills among children.
The former Chancellor and the former US President also met in Berlin.
(Photo: dpa)
The former US President also met ex-Chancellor Merkel (CDU) during his visit to Berlin. They met on Tuesday for a non-public conversation, as Merkel’s office confirmed on Wednesday on request. According to a report in the “Bild” newspaper, the meeting took place in the evening in an Italian restaurant in Berlin.
Obama has been in Europe for a few days and held a similar appointment in Zurich at the end of last week in front of around 10,000 paying guests. Klaas Heufer-Umlauf also moderated in Zurich.
With agency material.
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