"A free and united parliament in a free and united Berlin, in a free and united Germany – what a day in the parliamentary history of our country!" This was how Bundestag President Rita Süssmuth celebrated the first session of the Bundestag after reunification in the Reichstag building on October 4, 1990. The people’s representatives and the government, however, were still meeting in the federal capital, Bonn. The newly elected Bundestag was supposed to vote on which city should govern Germany in the future – Bonn or Berlin.
Bonn? The small and modest capital of the old Federal Republic? For four decades, the official policy of the German government and the other Western states was to regard Berlin as the true German capital. Bonn was considered a temporary solution. That is why, for many, there was no question regarding the capital. The West of the country, however, carried a lot of weight and put it on the agenda. The decision was open and controversial. Supporters for Bonn or Berlin came together in the Bundestag from all parties and regions.
In the debate on June 20, 1991, both sides fought for the many undecided among the 662 members of parliament. Those in favour of Bonn pointed out its merits for West German democracy, praised its modesty and warned of the costs. Team Berlin stressed that the burdens of Unity should be shared between East and West. The old states should give in and let the government move to Berlin. East Berlin’s Wolfgang Thierse, SPD, said: "The decision for Berlin would be a step toward the realization of political, social, and human unity of Germany that could not be replaced by anything – not by anything!"
With a majority of only 18 votes, Berlin won. For the Reichstag building, this meant another reconstruction. It had been ready for an all-German parliament since 1971, but was considered too small and no longer up to date. Norman Foster won the competition for the conversion. The British architect proposed 27 different roof structures, and the Bundestag finally chose a dome shape between the old and the new. This solution was largely thanks to the former Federal Minister for Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development, Oscar Schneider, who convinced the members of parliament of the symbolic power of a dome.
Before the plans were implemented, Berlin and five million spectators witnessed the wrapping of the Reichstag. In June and July 1995, the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped it in shiny strips of fabric. They had fought for the project for over twenty years and finally won over a majority of the members of parliament. The event, which was received by visitors from Germany and abroad with great enthusiasm, marked the beginning of a new view of the Reichstag and the entire country.
The Reichstag building received a completely new interior design and silhouette. In 1999, the Bundestag took over its new old building. Since then, the glass dome on the roof of the building has dominated the cityscape. In addition to a symbolic function, it has a practical one, supplying the plenary chamber below it with light and air. A path for visitors winds its way up the dome. This is a place in Berlin that attracts many people.
