« The constant rage has become a kind of popular sport »

Mr. Fackler, for a year and a half you have been the Bavarian State Government Citizens’ Representative. How can you imagine that? Are you something like the top grief box in the Free State?
Wolfgang Fackler: Some say grief boxes, the others call it seismograph. On the whole, I have a look at the citizen who specifically looks at the world.

What moves the citizens of Bavaria the most in these times? Are it the clinic closures? The property tax reform? The strengthening of the AfD?
Fackler: There are different topics that people bring to me. This certainly includes the property tax notice that fluttered into the house or the question of how to proceed with the local hospital. The topic of wind energy is also part of it. Others complain if the daycare center has not opened as usual or via the odor nuisance through a nearby biogas plant. Again and again it is also about the accommodation of refugees. They are the problems of everyday life that arrive at me.

The tone in political debates has become significantly rougher in recent years. How much anger does you get as a civic agent?
Fackler: The constant anger and permanent impairment have actually become a kind of popular sport. Unfortunately, I have to determine that. In my function, I try to structure that as much as possible. I try to advertise acceptance by explaining processes or giving advice. To what extent this succeeds, of course, I cannot finally answer. But I do my best.

So that, people call with a decent grant?
Fackler: That certainly doesn’t apply to everyone. But sometimes you have the focus of those who are angry and loud than the others. This is not correct. After all, the right tone is part of dealing with each other. As you call into the forest, it is known to resound. So respectful dealings pay off.

Can you contribute to objecting discussions by simply listening and taking people’s concerns seriously?
Fackler: I see that as my main task. First listen to people, understand their problems. And to what extent you can act in the interest of the citizens, of course, always depends on the property and legal situation. For me, it is primarily about clarifying, creating transparency, explaining constraints, translating the famous official German into a simple language and creating understanding for some decisions.

How many cases have you dealt with as a civic officer so far? How often could you help?
Fackler: A total of around 1000 concerns. So far, there have been almost 200 cases this year alone. And there are also positive feedback from people who are happy that someone has taken on their concerns.

What can you do specifically except listening to people and talking you well?
Fackler: I am a kind of ombudsman and I am committed to both sides, the state and the citizen. Sometimes you would like to solve problems, but fail in implementation, for example due to the lack of pragmatism. But where I can in any case work is When it comes to the lack of accessibility of authorities. Responsibilities are often unknown or unclear, often citizens do not know who they have to turn to. Sometimes decisions by the authorities are not understood or not accepted. I can then only try to explain. Because with the best will in the world, I can’t turn around. I am not a super revision instance.

When they started the office, they spoke of a chance. Her predecessor Klaus Holetschek then became Minister of Health and then CSU parliamentary group leader. Where will you go away?
Fackler: There is no blueprint for anyone. Everyone has to go their own way. I like this task as a civic officer. I like to be close to the citizen. And I appreciate the connection from the citizen to the state government. At the end of the day there is also a good feeling if you could help one or the other citizen a trace under procedural law. Because if you are on the right track, you will also find a way to your goal.