In Germany the budget negotiations are about to begin and we are in an election year.

Germany is still quite a big step away from fulfilling its Gleneagles commitment. So we wanted to ask the question to all major parties in this campaign: “Who will do as promised?” A question as thrilling as an action blockbuster, we thought.

Check out Germany’s leading politicians as action heroes and listen to Benno Fürmann, one of Germany’s most famous actors in our very new video “Promises” (translation below).

This is the year 2009.

Nine years ago 189 countries gave their word.

[speaker] “The Millennium Development Goals. Not to shy away from any effort to fight global poverty.”

But a threat is approaching.

The global economic crisis hits the poorest countries and threatens to cause poverty and hunger where there was just a glimpse of hope for the better.

Now courageous men and women are in demand.

Angela Merkel says [readable text / speech bubble]: “We as the Federal Government feel obliged, also now in a time of crisis and decreased tax revenue, not to scale down our ODA spending but to increase it, as this is of utmost importance for the people in the regions concerned.”

Frank-Walter Steinmeier says [readable text / speech bubble]: “If we want to prevent the crisis we have to take care of the structural causes for conflicts. Part of this is the fight against hunger and poverty and the facilitation of economic development.”

They know: This is about 0,2%. An important step between now and the promise to invest 0,51% of economic power in development by 2010. Will Germany keep her promise and support the poorest in their efforts, for more trade, good governance, education, infrastructure, agriculture, health systems and sanitation?.

Millions of Germans are looking at the men and women who hold this in their hands.

[as text underneath the picture]For 67 percent of Germans the credibility of politics also depends on keeping the promises to the World’s poorest. (emnid – famous polling institute)

Time is running out. Promises have been made. But who will act as they promised?

You can obligate them. With your name. For the article ONE.

Vote already today. Until September 27th

-Sergius Seebohm