Bundestag President Klöckner warns of increasing polarization

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner sees growing polarization in the Bundestag. She particularly criticized the behavior of AfD and Left MPs. “It’s getting so high,” said Klöckner in the “My Hardest Decision” podcast from Funke Medien. "The two factions have by far the most calls for order. The AfD has the most, but the left is following suit. And we have to be careful about this polarization," said the CDU politician.

"If it escalates, I'll throw out entire factions"

Polarization should not lead to the voices of the majority being lost. Klöckner threatened to take a hard line. "If it escalates, I'll throw the entire group out. I have this tool as president," she said. "Because we have to ensure one thing: that the plenary debate can take place. And if one group systematically says that we are disrupting it until the other group is no longer heard, then it is my job to lead the whole thing."

Constant heckling during general debates

How rough and loud things are now in the Bundestag was recently shown during the general debate in the Bundestag at the beginning of September. Chancellor Friedrich Merz was interrupted throughout his speech by hecklers from the AfD.

Bundestag President Klöckner twice criticized the behavior of the party's parliamentarians. “We are not on the football field here,” she said - and threatened the MPs to expel them from the plenary hall.

“Some speeches as if staged for TikTok”

Klöckner was also concerned about the trend towards staging for social media. Some speeches seemed as if they had been staged primarily for short TikTok videos. Followers would be welcomed in the plenary session and speeches would sometimes be made without reference to the previous speaker.

The rules of procedure have therefore been comprehensively revised - for the first time to this extent in 45 years. Despite all the necessary confrontation, it would be dangerous if people were fought rather than arguments and the focus was on “dismantling instead of discussion,” said Klöckner. Then a compromise would no longer be possible.

“I reprimand all factions”

However, in her own words, Klöckner is not worried that the situation in the Bundestag will slip away from her. “If I was afraid, I would have to give up my job,” she said. She reprimands all political groups, including the federal government if necessary, if they are not sufficiently represented on the government bench during the debates. “Everyone has a turn if they don’t follow the rules,” said Klöckner. "This is the basis for trusting us as an institution again, at least the first step."