Heavy criticism of Minister of State Weimer in the Bundestag’s Culture Committee
Complete report:
Complete report in German:
On 17 December 2025, a public hearing
on the German government’s memorial concept
took place in the Bundestag. The Committee on Culture and Media had invited seven experts and the responsible Minister of State, Wolfram Weimer, to attend. To the surprise and criticism of some, the topic of colonialism dominated the controversial two-hour session. It seems reasonable to conclude that by excluding colonialism, Wolfram Weimer drew more attention to this area of German remembrance culture and thus achieved the opposite effect.
Controversies
Although all sides emphasised the importance of coming to terms with Germany’s colonial history, opinions differed on whether the memorial concept should be opened up to include state colonial crimes. While representatives of the SPD, the Greens, the Left Party and some experts argued in favour of this, CDU/CSU MPs and other experts, such as the Central Council of Jews, supported Wolfram Weimer’s position of treating colonialism in a separate concept.
Looking ahead
The hearing of the Culture Committee highlighted the broad interest in politics, civil society and academia in an in-depth examination of colonialism and its effects up to the present day. Various speakers pointed out that this process does not start from scratch, but can build on the work of the past 20 to 30 years.
The creation of a central space of learning and remembrance, the strengthening of decentralised remembrance work, intensified research and transnational cooperation in Europe and with the former colonial territories were identified as key elements of future work. Important factors for success include structured, inclusive processes with civil society participation and sufficient government funding.
Since Wolfram Weimer has categorically opposed opening up the memorial concept, everything now points to a focus on the colonialism concept he has announced. Civil society forces in Germany and the former colonial territories have a central role to play in its design and implementation. In the political arena, the Social Democratic parliamentary group in the Bundestag, as part of the governing majority, bears a special responsibility.