Alumni group Berlin A look into the working world of the Bundestag

Anyone who has ever wanted to see with their own eyes the place where German federal laws are made and gain exclusive insights into the workings of the German Bundestag had the opportunity to do so on February 26, 2024: Alumnus Dr Enrico Brissa, who was head of protocol at the Bundestag for many years and is now head of the sub-department for committees, gave HAI members a tour of the parliament.

A highly interested group of Berlin HAI members were thus able to take a closer look at the inner workings of the only constitutional body of the federal government that is directly elected by the people. Enrico Brissa, who studied law in Heidelberg from 1990 to 1995, was Head of Protocol at the Bundestag from 2016 to May 2023, having previously worked in this role for Federal Presidents Christian Wulff and Joachim Gauck since 2011. He is therefore very familiar with the customs of the Bundestag and has experienced a lot of parliamentary business that newspaper readers and news viewers naturally don't realize.

During the tour, Enrico Brissa gave the Heidelberg alumni insights into the working world of parliament at particularly exposed locations and told them interesting facts about the history of the Reichstag building. "All the alumnae and alumni were thrilled - we were given a political, historical and artistic tour of the Paul Löbe House, the Marie-Elisabeth Lüders House and the Reichstag," reported alumna Dr Jasmin Freyschmidt. "The tour with Dr Brissa was a complete success and the participants really appreciated his time for the detailed tour."

Big thanks go to Enrico Brissa for his initiative for this very special event and his commitment, as well as to Jasmin Freyschmidt, who organized a drink afterwards in the Augustinerkeller in the Zollpackhof and thus enabled a further exchange in a relaxed atmosphere. "It was a very interesting tour and it was nice to refresh old memories of Heidelberg – we look forward to seeing you again!" said participant Dr Carola Beckmeier.