Reactions to right-wing escalation in front of the Reichstag

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Among other things, so-called Reich citizens and right-wing extremists can be seen in front of the Reichstag

Videos are circulating on social networks showing how only three police officers protect the Reichstag from angry demonstrators. Berlin's Interior Senator Andreas Geisel (SPD) said in a radio interview that parliament was not unprotected.

"That was a moment of one or two minutes," he said on the RBB Inforadio, this was to be evaluated. "But it was not that the German Bundestag was not protected." Due to further riots near the Russian embassy not far from the parliament, emergency services had to help out there.

Roth is in favor of an open Reichstag

Protesters against the corona policy had overcame barriers on the Reichstag building in Berlin on Saturday evening. They then stormed up the stairs, where black-white-red imperial flags - which are used by imperial citizens and right-wing extremists - but also other flags could be seen. The black-white-red flag was the flag of the German Empire and until 1935 the flag of the Third Reich under the rule of the National Socialists. After a while, reinforcements came to the aid of the three policemen.

The Bundestag Vice President Claudia Roth (Greens) spoke out in favor of a still open Reichstag. "We are not a high-security wing," she said on Monday on Deutschlandfunk. "The Bundestag is and will remain an open house that invites citizens who receive guests from all over the world to experience our democracy."

In order to prevent situations like the weekend, a security concept is needed. "That will certainly have to be discussed at the Berlin level, but that will also have to be discussed in our house," said Roth. She accused Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) of underestimating the situation.

"These pictures are damaging Germany's international reputation"

Lars Klingbeil, SPD General Secretary

According to SPD General Secretary Lars Klingbeil, the Bundestag's Council of Elders is to discuss the incident in a special session. The Berlin Senate should be discussed about how Parliament should be protected. "I don't want to barricade parliament," Klingbeil said.

But "these pictures are damaging Germany's international reputation," he said, referring to the events on Saturday evening. It must be seen which demonstrations would be allowed. Klingbeil also stood behind Geisel, who originally wanted to ban the Corona protests over the weekend. (Read an interview with the Interior Senator here).

height / dpa