Read the video transcript here
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"It's a bit like maybe first day of school, first day of university and Christmas together."
This is how Ria Schröder describes the day of the constituent session of the Bundestag.
That fits: Because, especially for new MPs like the FDP politician from Hamburg, everything is exciting on this first day and has not yet played a role.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"It's like in every good beginning that everything is not going well and grooved and some deadlines just don't fit."
Your employees won't really start until next week.
Schröder does not yet have an apartment and also works in a temporary office.
And in this situation, the 29-year-old has decided, in addition to basic organization, for her first day: an online discussion, various meetings with parts of the parliamentary group, several press appointments, a reception.
And of course the hour-long session itself.
How is all of this supposed to fit into one day?
It starts with the discussion, organized by ZEIT, it's about the climate.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"So use technologies, of course, develop them further in order to achieve climate protection."
What also runs: social media.
Schröder has 12,500 followers on Instagram and more than 20,000 on Twitter.
After half an hour, Schröder has to move on, which is a bit unsatisfactory.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"If you only speak so briefly, you cannot get into so much detail and then unfortunately it remains a bit superficial."
Next appointment: the meeting of the women's group in the FDP parliamentary group.
But all commutes to work are also new for the woman from Hamburg.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"I would take the stairs too, but I don't know where they are ... No ... Ah, now the elevator is there too."
When Schröder arrives, the meeting is practically over.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"I think you have to learn to set tough priorities now, to cancel things because it sometimes doesn't work, but it was important to me to be there at least for a short time."
At least she made it to the group photo.
But it will start soon: just over an hour until the meeting - and thus the most exciting moment of the day for Schröder.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
“To be honest, it is first to enter this plenary hall.
Sometimes there are those who have made youth in parliament or have taken a tour, I never did.
It's very special to go in there, to be allowed to go in, to have a seat as a member of parliament. "
But first there
is
a press conference.
This attention is also new.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
"I am now not only Ria, the citizen, but also Ria, the member."
But Schröder also uses this attention.
Why is your social media so important?
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
“Because there are an incredible number of young people who have the feeling: Politics, these are old people who don't care: What am I actually doing here and what are the problems in my life ? "
At a quarter past ten we finally go to the Reichstag building.
The session starts at eleven.
We are not allowed in - the number of press representatives is limited.
Schröder has further meetings and interviews in the parliament building.
Above all, however, she is finally experiencing her first moment in the plenary hall.
How was it?
She tells that during a break, it is now 2 p.m.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
“It was a bit hectic, you had to show your ID again.
Then the camera team wasn't allowed in and then it was a bit like: Ah, now I'm here.
I didn't really have the opportunity to enjoy it. "
The most important moment: Bärbel Bas is elected President of the Bundestag.
Wolfgang Schäuble, Age President of the Bundestag:
"576 MPs voted with yes."
But for Schröder the very first vote on the Rules of Procedure was special.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
»If you look around a bit and think: May I vote here now?
Then you raise your hand and that also has this effect, that was another very special moment, where I also felt that I had now arrived. "
With her parliamentary group, Schröder is still sitting next to the AfD, the FDP wants to change that.
The MP was disappointed with the appearance of the AfD on the first day.
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
“Even at which points they applaud and thus also express what kind of spirit they are, I had hoped that it would not show up on the first day, but then I got better instructed. "
The Bundestag vice-presidents are elected during the remaining two hours of the session.
Michael Kaufmann, the AfD candidate, fails, and Schröder also voted against him.
But what is your conclusion?
Were the many extra appointments too many?
Ria Schröder, FDP member of the Bundestag:
“That is part of it, I think it trains itself even more.
And if you find the peace in between to take a deep breath, I think you can enjoy it too.
Even if, on such a long day, you're happy when it's finally over. "
It's not that far yet.
There is also a reception for the new MPs, followed by further press conferences.
Then - sometime - the first day is over.
