The Capital City Settles Into Its New Role : Germany

The transformation of Berlin into the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany is well under way. Now that the Bundesrat has also decided to relocate to Berlin at the same time as the Bundestag and the Federal Government, the capital city expects the supreme constitutional bodies to move from Bonn to Berlin toward the end of this decade.

ln 1996, plans for the move were essentially completed. In the year 1997, renovation, restoration and improve nent of the buildings to be occupied by the ministries regressed steadily. At the construction sites for the new Federal Chancellery in the bend of the Spree Riverand the new Office of the Federal President near Schioss Bellevue, every effort is being made to ensure that the buildings are completed on schedule. The Federal President has been using Schioss Bellevue as his official residence since the beginning of 1994.

Since July 1995, construction crews have been working virtually around the clock to convert the former Reichstag building into the seat of the German Bundestag. Beginning in May 1998, the dome designed by Sir Norman Foster will grace the Reichstag. Completion of the building is scheduled for the end of 1998.

Grouped around the Reichstag building with the Alsen, Luisen and Dorotheen blocks will be new structures for the Members of the German Bundestag and their staff as well as facilities for the parliamentary groups, the committees and the Bundestag library.

Germany is not just building its capital city above ground, however. Berlin’s road and rail infrastructure is swiftly being modernized as well: Especially the central tunnel under the Tiergarten will relieve traffic congestion in the center of the city.
In the year 2000 - after half a century - Germany will once again be governed from its capital city, Berlin.