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Meet a Bundestag Member: German Politics Today

November 20, 2025 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EST

The American Council on Germany (ACG), the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), and the German Studies Association (GSA) are launching a new virtual series, Meet a Bundestag Member: German Politics Today. The series offers students of German language and culture the chance to engage directly with members of the German Bundestag on timely political issues while practicing their German language skills.

The second session will take place on November 20 at 11:00 AM ET and will feature Elisabeth Kaiser, Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany and Member of the Bundestag, who will join ACG President Dr. Steven E. Sokol for a 45-minute moderated discussion — held in German — on the history, significance, and ongoing legacy of German reunification, incorporating questions posed by the audience.

The reunification of Germany marked a pivotal moment in European history, ending decades of division and reshaping the political, economic, and social landscape of the country. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities that arose during the reunification process, the enduring impact on Germany’s domestic and foreign policy, and the lessons it offers for democratic societies navigating periods of transformation.

Following each event, the conversations will also be released as podcasts, making them easily accessible for members, students, and educators to use in the classroom.

Elisabeth Kaiser has served since May 2025 as Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany. A dedicated Social Democrat, she has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2017, representing Thuringia and serving in various leadership positions, including Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (2023–2025) and Deputy Domestic Policy Spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group (2021–2023). She is also SPD leader for the Gera district and spokesperson for the group of SPD Bundestag members from Thuringia.

​In addition to her parliamentary work, Ms. Kaiser is the Deputy Chair of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief Supporters’ Association in Saxony/Thuringia, Co-Spokesperson for the Gera Railway Alliance, a member of the SPD Economic Forum’s Political Advisory Committee, and an associate member of the SPD Executive Committee in Thuringia. She holds degrees in Political and Administrative Sciences from the University of Potsdam and in Governance and Public Policy from the University of Erfurt.

Details

Date:
November 20, 2025
Time:
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Category:
Website:
https://www.aatg.org/events/meet-a-bundestag-member-german-politics-today---elisabeth-kaiser/register