Dampener for peace? BSW invites Russia's ambassador to the exhibition!

Dampener for peace? BSW invites Russia's ambassador to the exhibition!

The conflict between the political factions in the Brandenburg state parliament is currently heating up, especially because of the invitation to the Russian ambassador Sergei Nechayev to open an exhibition in the state parliament. On the occasion of the presentation of the works of the GDR artists Hans and Lea Grundig, the coalition partner BSW (Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht) has already offered its approval, which is met with skepticism by the SPD. This invitation has sparked heated debates, especially since the background of the ongoing war in Ukraine cannot be ignored.

Björn Lüttmann, the leader of the SPD parliamentary group, said: Uckermark courier that the SPD is currently absolutely not thinking of inviting the Russian ambassador. He justifies this decision with the current conflict situation and the alleged violations of European airspace by Russia.

The controversies surrounding the invitation

The invitation of the Russian ambassador is seen by many as highly problematic. Niels-Olaf Lüders, the BSW parliamentary group leader, is trying to smooth things over. He describes the invitation as a sign of peace and international understanding and emphasizes that discussions must also be held with warring parties in order to promote peace. However, this view is sharply criticized by the CDU. Jan Redmann, parliamentary group leader of the CDU, considers the invitation to be support for Russian war propaganda. He calls for people to refrain from the event because for the BSW, peace apparently means Russia's victory, which he finds problematic. This reports Northern Courier.

In addition, several other diplomatic representatives were among the invited guests, including the Ukrainian embassy and embassies of all former Soviet republics, although no confirmations were received. So you have to seriously ask yourself what kind of dialogue the BSW wants to pursue here.

The exhibition itself

The exhibition with the works of Hans and Lea Grundig is an affair steeped in history. Hans Grundig was a concentration camp prisoner during the Second World War and rector of the University of Fine Arts in Dresden after the war. Lea Grundig, on the other hand, emigrated to Palestine before her deportation and later became a professor in Dresden. The context of this artistic work and the historical wounds associated with it should not be underestimated. They were both persecuted by the Nazis and are therefore symbolic of the horrors of war, which add a worrying note to the Russian ambassador's invitation.

According to Lüttmann, the opening of the exhibition is a matter for the BSW group, which he does not want to comment on further. The President of the State Parliament, Prof. Ulrike Liedtke (SPD), also distanced herself from the ambassador's invitation and made it clear that this did not constitute an official invitation from the State Parliament. She emphasized the need to end the war and thus once again highlight the divided opinions within the state parliament.

The discussion about the invitation of the Russian ambassador will probably continue to heat up people's minds for some time. Publicist Daniela Dahn and journalist Torsten Harmsen will also have their say in a round of discussions during the opening, which suggests further suggestions for dialogue.