Bocholter-Borkener Volksblatt - October 15, 2002
translation by Astrid Nolde-GallaschIrish star visits Reichstag in Berlin
Chris de Burgh declares himself in favour of obligatory elections Berlin/Belfast. During a visit of the Reichstag in Berlin, Chris de Burgh declared himself in favour of an obligatory election. The pop musician gives concerts in Berlin and Frankfurt. A separate Northern Irish parliament is also necessary for the future in the opinion of popstar Chris de Burgh. "There has to be a Northern Irish parliament", he said on Monday during a private visit of the Reichstag in Berlin. The British government had earlier suspended the Northern Irish self-administration in Belfast and taken on the full government power about the province. De Burgh said a democracy is always in danger to have important decisions being based on very tight majority relations. "A tiny minority can hold a pistol to the head of the majority", he said. The red-green government in Berlin has similar conditions. "People should be obligated to take part in elections", the pop musician continued. But he didn't mention any concreter ideas. Chris de Burgh looked carefully around the Reichstag. "Interesting colour", said the popstar and pointed at the blue upholstery of the delegators' chairs. The big federal coat of arms caught the eyes of the musician from Ireland. "Has the eagle always been the symbol of Germany?", asks the visitor. The musician who is currently touring with this new album "Timing Is Everything" showed himself awake, friendly and interested in details. After the concert in Berlin on Monday de Burgh wants to appear in Frankfurt on Friday. The popstar who celebrates his 54th birthday on Tuesday came to visit the Berlin Reichstag out of rather private reasons. The new federal delegator Christian Freiherr von Stetten (CDU), a 32 year young politician from the Swabian province, had made first contacts to the star as a concert manager. In Künzelsau (region Hohenlohe in Baden-Württemberg) von Stetten planned a concert of the singer years ago. As de Burgh is very interested in politics, he has shown him his new office, said the CDU-politican. "He is a very nice guy", the delegator enthuses and proudly shows his famous friend his seat in the 15th federal government: "If you want to see it - it's here, in the last rows. We are starting on Wednesday morning." The musician is uncomplicated and easy to take, so different to some other types of people, emphasizes von Stetten: "I know enough complicated people in policits, I don't have to have private contacts with them." Chris de Burgh remembers his appearance in the night of the German reunion in front of the Brandenburger Tor. "I got lost in the crowd, but I knew I had to get back to the Bundestag. I needed an hour for it. And there was a party, people were drinking champagne." Not everyone recognized the not rather tall pop star in his black leather jacket and the checkered scarf on first sight, when he walked the winding way up to the transparent dome of the Reichstag. But a group of pupils from Aschkelon in the South of Israel identified de Burgh immediately. Willingly the singer let himself be photographed together with the pupils of mostly Russian origin, who were happy about the group picture of their life. Also in the group hall of CDU/CSU de Burgh was immediately recognized and greeted by the leader of a vistor's group. Loud applause followed. De Burgh played along, but when he left the room, he said: "How embarrassing!" According to a statement of von Stetten he wants to celebrate his birthday with his family in Ireland. De Burgh will briefly fly to Dublin and return to Germany for more concerts. The singer lives together with his wife Diane. De Burgh has three children: Rosanna, Hubie and Michael. Chris de Burgh studied English and French at the Trinity College in Dublin. He plays guitar since his childhood. In 1975 he had a breakthrough in Brazil with the hit "Flying". In the 80s he had international success with the songs "High On Emotion" and "Lady In Red". Boris Yeltsin and Helmut Kohl are among his fans. According to his internet website Chris de Burgh has published 165 self-written songs and 16 studio albums and sold over 45 million records till today.