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The AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag voted against the new law (picture from February 26)
Photo: Christian Spicker / imago images / Christian Spicker
When the Bundestag debated the Infection Protection Act in mid-November, the AfD smuggled in right-wing troublemakers.
They harassed, filmed and insulted MPs from other parties.
Now, three and a half months later, the parliamentarians have drawn the necessary conclusions.
In future, MPs can be punished with a fine of 1000 euros for violating the house rules;
in the event of repetition, 2000 euros will be charged.
The Bundestag passed a corresponding law on Thursday evening against the votes of the AfD and a large part of the left.
Until now, the President of the Bundestag could only impose a fine if he saw the order or dignity of the Bundestag violated during plenary sessions, but not in the event of misconduct outside the plenary chamber.
That has now been changed.
"In the course of reviewing the processes in the responsible committees," it has been shown that "effective sanctions are now also required against members of the Bundestag to enforce the house rules," says the reason for the change in law.
The disruption of order in the Bundestag had only been made possible by members of the parliament.
"Anyone who tries to intimidate MPs is attacking this democracy," said the parliamentary manager of the Greens, Britta Haßelmann.
Patrick Schnieder of the CDU said that on November 18, MPs were harassed and threatened by "henchmen" of the AfD.
"And the AfD has no qualms about opening the door to the Bundestag for these henchmen."
Three MPs from the left abstained and the majority of their parliamentary group voted against the law.
The right-wing political spokesman for the left-wing parliamentary group, Friedrich Straetmanns, said the goal was right, but the path was wrong.
Before the introduction of new sanctions, existing rules would have to be enforced more consistently.
Unanimous rejection came from the AfD.
Your MP Jens Maier spoke of a superfluous regulation that only served the populist "AfD abuse" in times of the election campaign.
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ptz / dpa / AFP
