Mr Dregger, are you in the Christmas mood?
Yes, I am. I was with my daughter at the Christmas market at breitscheidplatz. Whenever we go there, we have two kinds of feelings. On the one hand, a highly sensitive place, where two years ago of this horrible terrorist attack has taken place. I led for a year, the Amri Committee of inquiry and the suffering of the survivors met. And on the other hand, we have enjoyed the peacefulness of the Christmas market. But you always have the plot in my head. We still go there as a Signal that we will not allow ourselves to terrorize and have no fear. My 18-year-old daughter feels the same way. We were both in the Church and have a prayer for the survivors, the victims and our family.
What do you think of the security measures at the Breitscheidplatz?
The are already massive, but they don’t bother me. They give a sense of security, even if we know that you can’t exclude all attack forms.
are the measures sufficient?
You have not properly waived on bag checks, in order not to endanger the character of the Christmas market. I had been given by the Strasbourg assassination, but understanding for increased controls.
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Can you forgive well?
Yes, I think so.
an assassin like Amri?
I’m two years after the attack, still unforgiving. Because he has deliberately killed people. And because I have continuing pain of the bereaved, a few days ago at the memorial hour at the breitscheidplatz to have seen the place again. I hope that the time and our compassion to heal their wounds.
visitors to devotions last Wednesday evening in the memorial Church on the wide space part of the difference.Photo: Carsten Koall/dpa
What is the meaning of the Christmas season?
for me, This is a time of anticipation. We have in the home an advent wreath and advent calendar with small gifts for my wife, and my children are 14, 16 and 18 years old. We find this Tradition nicely, the calendar leading to Christmas on the 24. December. This is for my family the highlight. Advent also means the arrival of the Savior. I enjoy this contemplative time.
How do you celebrate Christmas?
Two days before the Christmas tree is bought. On Christmas eve, after Breakfast, he is brought into the living room, set up and decorated with dark red Christmas baubles and straw stars. But no Tinsel. This Tradition must be carried out without the slightest deviation. The want of my children. Then we set up the Nativity scene with the Holy family. After that, we go to a children’s service. After our return, the lights are lit on the tree. I begin the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke to read it aloud. This Tradition I have inherited from my father. All sit there more or less impatient. We sing beautiful Christmas carols. Then there are the gifts. There is nothing Better than shining children’s eyes. Christmas is the celebration of the family.
what Church you visit in 2018 will be the for you on Christmas eve?
We are not excessive Church-goers. You can count this year on two hands. Faith plays a big role. And we also talk about it. It makes no sense to children forced to exercise Faith. One may also doubt time. The word is called Faith, not Knowledge. You can set an example of Faith only, and declare that regardless of how much you believe in, the Faith and the Church are a great peace institution. And the ten commandments as the moral law the basis for peaceful coexistence of people and for mutual respect. To come to the Belief closer, you need time and maturity.
this includes the Belief in your life?
Yes, absolutely. If I have time, I love to walk in an empty, silent Church. Then I feel to reflect there inner peace and start. The setting in the everyday hustle and bustle. I feel the Church as a wonderful place of reflection.
when was the last done?
When I was Chairman of the group, I haven’t done the time. Since I didn’t have to question me, as to the Conscience. But after the first and second legal state exam, I went immediately after the audit, in a Church, where I relaxed, the Lord God is to be thanked and thought about what vocational offer, I perceive. And instead of a large law firm in Frankfurt am Main with a lucrative Job to start, I went to Berlin and I have made as a lawyer independently. Even before my marriage, I have reflected on in Church.
Go out and to go to confession?
I haven’t done in a long time. But I speak in my Prayers to be very open with my Lord. A confession can help to relieve his soul in a protected space. A Priest can give advice.
has your Faith in politics?
I am very influenced by the Christian Faith and my education. I was an altar boy. The entire school class was also the Turkish classmate as a part of the community. In the policy I have, every morning in the mirror to see and to say that I acted to the best of our Knowledge and belief. This also applies to dealing with employees, colleagues, or refugees. We need to show attitude and not race populists afterwards. We have to honestly say, why we are what. Those who have no need for protection, need to leave our country again. But those who need protection, you must get our help. I serve the interests of our country, but our country is reckless and selfish. I am sometimes surprised what I experience in politics.
How do you find dealing with the Green-politician Jens-Holger Kirchner, which was difficult to offset the sick in temporary retirement?
The dealing is underground. This has not only perceived Mr Kirchner, in this discomfort there was in all the parties. It is an employee who is in a health crisis, in which his professional activity is also part of the recovery process. Therefore, the transport Senator forced out of me by Kirchner surprised me. Rightly, there was fierce criticism. The Green moralize constantly to others. Here you are not become your own standards. That’s not something you do as a Christian-bred person. This surprised me very much. Since you are allowed to Express doubts on the character of transport, Senator Gunther.
it Needs more Christian values in politics?
do not you damage. For two reasons: they insulate the conflicts in the life of the people. And areas of charity and Fairness towards the Weak.
Why are you not for the reformation day as a public holiday?
We as a Berlin CDU, the concept of changing one-time celebration to find tags good, because it leads to a conscious memory. This can be in addition to the reformation day, the day of the basic law and the day of the wall if, every year, another important anniversary. We would like to define unique holidays for the next few years.
Religion and Belief for you as a Catholic in the proper place?
Religion plays a traditionally less of a role. So I have no Problem with that. We have here a multi-religiosity. To me Yes, especially as a Catholic, true, but as a human being, a family man, lawyer and member of Parliament.
“The CDU is Christian imprints, which we view as a value and these get”photo: Kai-Uwe Heinrich
What it means today, the C in the CDU?
We serve our country and our people from a Christian responsibility. We register new members from different religions. Of course, we declare that the CDU command is a recipient of the Pope. But the CDU has Christian influences, which we view as a value and these like to receive. It is our job to convince that we represent with the right content and the right heads. A recognizable value compass is one of them.
Will succeed with the new party boss Annegret Kramp-karrenbauer?
I am convinced Of that. I found the multi-week Contest of the candidates to be very liberating.
Can you imagine a members decision in Berlin for the top candidate?
We can think about everything, if it would be necessary. But now we have a good division of tasks: Monika Grütters as a party leader, Stefan Evers as Secretary-General, I as a Faction leader, and Mario Czaja as Vice-Chairman. We can only win as a Team.
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New security concept for the Christmas market sand bags in front of the memorial Church
finally, the most important question: What comes to you Christmas on the table?
We eat a traditional meat fondue. You can prepare very well. No one has to stand long in the kitchen.
