The German public broadcaster ARD recorded its annual “Summer Interview” with SPD leader Bärbel Bas on Sunday, accompanied by a demonstration outside the Reichstag building. The pro-nuclear energy group, Nuklearia, successfully positioned themselves within visible range of the television set-up on a second attempt.
During the interview itself, the protesters largely refrained from disruptive activity, avoiding audible interruptions. A reporter for the dts news agency estimated that between 10 and 15 individuals participated in the demonstration, with a significant police presence maintained throughout.
The demonstration followed a failed attempt by the pro-nuclear group a week prior, during which ARD unexpectedly began recording the “Summer Interview” with Green Party leader Felix Banaszak earlier than anticipated. ARD also chose to forgo both a live internet broadcast and a standard press conference, citing “security reasons” according to a spokesperson from ARD’s Berlin studio.
ARD maintained secrecy surrounding the timing of the production, a precaution taken following significant disruption during the “Summer Interview” with Alice Weidel in mid-July. On that occasion, the activist group “Center for Political Beauty” deployed a loudspeaker vehicle, causing substantial interference with the broadcast.