Ein Volksbürger

NICO AND THE NAVIGATORS present the political farce “Ein Volksbürger”, (“A citizen of the people”), a play based on research undertaken by the team behind Verfassungsblog – On Matters Constitutional, led by Maximilian Steinbeis. Starring Fabian Hinrichs, the production premieres on 27 September at the Haus der Bundespressekonferenz (Federal Press Conference). To mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of this association of Berlin journalists, the Federal Press Conference opens its doors to artistic intervention for the first time.

The play shows the swift ascent of a populist minister president in a German free state and the ensuing threat to democracy. Through a series of press conferences, “Ein Volksbürger” describes the career of a political juggernaut. This politician's unilateral actions challenge the federal government and ultimately force a showdown. In the end, only Article 37 of the constitution remains – unprecedented legislation that stipulates drastic measures under the rubric of “federal obligation”.

“Ein Volksbürger” comes to audiences in 2024, an election year that has already witnessed a shift to the right within the European Union, with predictions of dramatic gains for the AfD in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia state elections. Against this backdrop, the play’s experimental design wields enormous political explosiveness. Directed by Nicola Hümpel, the production’s main character is portrayed by Fabian Hinrichs as a charismatic seducer who exploits his charm and intelligence to undermine the political system, and whose dangerous allure forces his opponents to take drastic measures.