04.03 Record
Speeches and statements
A searchable archive of what Dorothee Bär has said on the record, from a 2010 newspaper interview to the Bundestag debates of her ministerial years. Every quotation is reproduced in the original German with an English translation, a date and a source. Where only a summary of her words exists, the record says so.
01 — About the archive
Verbatim, or clearly marked
The archive holds two kinds of record. Quotations are verbatim words taken from the cited source. Reported statements are documented in indirect speech, for example in Bundestag summaries, and are paraphrased here without quotation marks. Nothing is reconstructed from memory or from secondary paraphrase.
Records in the archive, from October 2010 to October 2026
Compiled from the sources belowVerbatim quotations, each in German with an English translation
Research baseline, 7 October 2026Roles: Member of the Bundestag, state secretary, commissioner, federal minister
Official biographiesReported statements documented only in indirect speech
Marked "Reported" in each recordArchive of records
19 records
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Presenting the CISPA investigation
ReportedContextA special investigation had examined cooperation at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security in Saarbrücken involving partners in China.
Bär presented the results, which found that security-relevant knowledge could have leaked.
ExplanationThe case gave concrete form to the risks the National Platform for Research Security is meant to address.
SignificanceThe most recent record in the archive; it ties her December 2025 statement on research security to a specific case.
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"There will be no fully comprehensive cover for studying"
Documented statementCriticisedContextAsked about the planned BAföG reform, she said she had heard that the coalition groups no longer supported it.
„Es wird kein Vollkaskostudium geben, jeder muss seinen Teil dazu beitragen.“
“There will be no fully comprehensive cover for studying; everyone must contribute their share.”„Es gibt keine Studiengebühren, und der Staat ermöglicht vielen jungen Menschen überhaupt erst ein Studium.“
“There are no tuition fees, and it is the state that makes studying possible for many young people in the first place.”ExplanationShe argued that with cuts to care and parental benefits it was understandable not to promise large extra benefits elsewhere. The SPD contradicted her; Matthias Anbuhl of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk said she had lost touch with students' reality.
SignificanceOne of the most contested statements of her ministerial term. See Criticism & controversies.
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Presenting the first six technology roadmaps
ReportedContextThe High-Tech Agenda provides for detailed roadmaps for its key technologies.
According to the Bundestag's press service, Bär presented the first six roadmaps, for AI, microelectronics, biotechnology, fusion, batteries and quantum technologies, and announced a six-week public consultation, with roadmaps for robotics and climate-neutral energy to follow.
ExplanationThe roadmaps attach dated milestones to the agenda, such as the first logical qubits in Germany by 2028.
SignificanceTurns a strategy into measurable commitments against which her tenure can be judged. See High-Tech Agenda.
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Taking stock after a year
ReportedContestedContextA year after taking office, Bär highlighted her ministry's achievements.
According to Forschung & Lehre, Bär emphasised her successes; her ministry stated that its projects were advancing in planning and implementation.
ExplanationGreens research spokesperson Ayse Asar countered that the government spoke of roadmaps and dialogue formats but could not answer central questions such as the actual effect of the money spent.
SignificanceSets out the terms of the debate on her record: plans and structures on one side, demonstrable effects on the other.
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"The programme is working"
Documented statementContextFirst-year results of the 1000 Köpfe Plus programme for recruiting researchers from abroad.
„Das 1.000-Köpfe-Plus-Programm wirkt. Schon nach einem Jahr haben wir 286 Bewilligungen erreicht“
“The 1,000 Heads Plus programme is working. After just one year we have reached 286 approvals.”ExplanationThe approvals cover researchers from 45 countries: 37 per cent from Europe, 30 per cent from Asia, 20 per cent from North America.
SignificanceOne of the few initiatives of her term with published results. See Major initiatives.
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Securing research, protecting freedom
Documented statementContextThe federal government, the states and the science organisations agreed key points for a National Platform for Research Security.
„Die Welt ist massiv im Umbruch. Für Wohlstand und Souveränität in Deutschland und Europa müssen wir unsere Forschung sichern und gleichzeitig die Wissenschaftsfreiheit schützen.“
“The world is in massive upheaval. For prosperity and sovereignty in Germany and Europe we must secure our research while protecting academic freedom.”ExplanationHer ministry leads and solely funds the platform until 2029; it is to be fully operational in January 2027.
SignificanceHer clearest statement of the balance between security and openness in science.
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"Space is not an end in itself"
Documented statementContextThe Bundestag debated her ministry's 2026 budget, adopted at €21.82 billion, the day after the ESA Ministerial Council closed.
„Raumfahrt ist kein Selbstzweck, sondern es geht dabei um Wirtschaft, Sicherheit und Souveränität.“
“Space is not an end in itself; it is about the economy, security and sovereignty.”ExplanationThe 2026 budget provides almost €2.4 billion for space.
SignificanceThe most explicit statement of her space doctrine. See Space policy.
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"A force to be reckoned with in space"
Documented statementContextGermany subscribed €5.4 billion to ESA programmes, about 23 per cent of the total and the largest national contribution.
„Raumfahrt ist eine Investition in unsere Zukunft. Mit Deutschland und Europa ist in der Raumfahrt zu rechnen.“
“Space is an investment in our future. Germany and Europe are a force to be reckoned with in space.”ExplanationPriorities included launcher competition, lunar exploration, climate satellites, secure communications and space security.
SignificanceFrames the largest commitment of her tenure in European terms. See Major initiatives.
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Fusion: €2 billion by 2029
ReportedContextA week after the cabinet adopted the Fusion Action Plan on 1 October 2025.
According to the Bundestag's summary, Bär said that by 2029 €2 billion would go into fusion research so that the world's first fusion power plant could be built in Germany.
ExplanationThe plan combines about €1.7 billion of public funding with up to €755 million for a laser-fusion research facility.
SignificanceStates the plan's goal in her own terms. See Fusion research.
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"No clearer signature"
Documented statementContextThe first parliamentary reading of her first full budget as minister, two months after the cabinet adopted the High-Tech Agenda.
„Eine noch klarere Handschrift als die Hightech-Agenda kann es nicht geben“
“There could be no clearer signature than the High-Tech Agenda.”ExplanationShe identified the agenda, with its six key technologies, as the defining project of her ministry.
SignificanceSets the yardstick by which she has asked to be judged. See High-Tech Agenda.
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"A milestone for gaming"
Documented statementContextThe cabinet approved charitable status for e-sports clubs as part of the Tax Amendment Act 2025.
„Meilenstein für Gaming, Jugendförderung und Vereinsarbeit“
“A milestone for gaming, youth development and club work.”ExplanationA tax-law measure that she had long advocated; it was not a measure of her ministry.
SignificanceReflects one of her most consistent interests across roles. See Major initiatives.
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Presenting the Corona-Warn-App
Documented statementContextShe opened the press conference at which the federal government presented its contact-tracing app.
„Es ist eine App, die uns helfen soll, gemeinsam den Kampf gegen die weltweite Pandemie zu führen“
“It is an app that is meant to help us fight the global pandemic together.”ExplanationHer role was presenting; development and operation lay elsewhere.
SignificanceHer most widely seen appearance as commissioner. See Major initiatives.
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Announcing a "Bundeszentrale für digitale Aufklärung"
ReportedCriticisedContextGermany lacked a central body for digital education.
Bär announced a Federal Agency for Digital Education, modelled in name on the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
ExplanationOnly a €20,000 feasibility study was financed; after ten months there had been three events and six podcast episodes. The Federal Agency for Civic Education called the name "misleading".
SignificanceOften cited as an example of announcements outrunning resources. See Major initiatives.
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Pressing for a digital ministry
ReportedContextA debate within the Union about how the federal government should organise digital policy.
Handelsblatt listed Bär among the Union politicians pushing for a separate federal digital ministry.
ExplanationAs commissioner she coordinated rather than directed; a ministry would bring its own budget and powers.
SignificanceRealised in 2025 with the creation of the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation. See Government modernisation.
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"Data protection like in the 18th century"
Documented statementCriticisedContextAn interview given days before she took office as Minister of State and Commissioner for Digitalisation on 14 March 2018.
„Tatsächlich existiert in Deutschland aber ein Datenschutz wie im 18. Jahrhundert.“
“In fact, though, Germany has data protection like in the 18th century.”Explanationnetzpolitik.org criticised the remark as a repetition of industry talking points.
SignificanceSet the tone for a sceptical reception among net-policy critics. See Digitalisation.
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The flying-taxi interview
Documented statementCriticisedContextPresenter Marietta Slomka asked about Germany's slow broadband.
„Habe ich die Möglichkeit, auch zum Beispiel mit einem Flugtaxi durch die Gegend zu können“
“Do I have the possibility, for example, of getting around by flying taxi.” Reproduced as printed by Die Rheinpfalz.ExplanationThe answer was widely mocked under the hashtag #Flugtaxi as sidestepping basic connectivity. Bavaria later adopted an air-mobility strategy including flying taxis, and her ministry now funds Advanced Air Mobility.
SignificanceHer most widely discussed remark of 2018. See Criticism & controversies.
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Answering criticism of a dirndl
ReportedContextShe wore a dirndl on the government bench during a budget debate. Green MP Sylvia Kotting-Uhl tweeted that this was fine for Bavaria but "backward" elsewhere.
Bär replied with a photograph of the Green politician Claudia Roth wearing a dirndl.
ExplanationA brief exchange that the press dubbed "Dirndlgate".
SignificanceMinor in policy terms; it illustrates her use of social media to answer critics directly.
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"A wonderful overall package"
Documented statementContextAs CSU family politician and family policy spokesperson of the CDU/CSU group, she defended the Betreuungsgeld for parents who did not use publicly funded daycare.
„ein wunderbares Gesamtpaket“
“a wonderful overall package”, describing the Betreuungsgeld together with the expansion of daycare places.ExplanationHer argument was freedom of choice for parents. The bill passed by 310 votes to 282; the Federal Constitutional Court struck the federal Betreuungsgeld down in July 2015 for lack of federal competence.
SignificanceHer best-documented family-policy position. See Family & youth policy.
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"A total champion of democracy"
Documented statementContextAs CSU deputy secretary general she backed a binding women's quota in the CSU, noting that women made up only about 18 per cent of the membership. The party congress adopted a quota decision later that month.
„Ich bin eine totale Demokratieverfechterin.“
“I am a total champion of democracy.”ExplanationThe interview set out her political self-understanding at a moment when she was arguing for change inside her party.
SignificanceThe earliest verified quotation in this archive. See Political positions.
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03 — Method
What is in, and what is out
- Quotations
- Only verbatim wording from the cited source. Translations are this site's own and aim for meaning over word order.
- Reported statements
- Where a source gives only a summary, such as a Bundestag press note, the record paraphrases it without quotation marks and is labelled "Reported".
- Excluded
- Quotations that circulate without a verifiable source; remarks known only from encyclopaedia entries; social-media posts that could not be checked. A reported 2021 statement on the Online Access Act deadline is not included, because no verified wording was available.
- Roles
- Each record is filed under the office she held on that date. Statements before 14 March 2018 about her coming post are filed as "commissioner-designate".
- Criticism
- Where a statement drew public criticism, the record names who criticised it. The wider debate is on Criticism & controversies.