Wolfgang Schäuble leaves and Bärbel Bas comes: The CDU politician took the opportunity to call on the MPs to a passionate dispute - but it had to be fair.
Berlin - Union parliamentary group chairman, head of the chancellery, federal minister (interior, finance) or, most recently, president of the Bundestag: President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble, got to know the plenary in Berlin in a wide variety of functions.
At the meeting of the new Bundestag on October 26th, the CDU politician gave another high-profile speech there.
A few dry swipes were part of it.
"This is the place where we can argue, where we should argue - but fair and according to the rules, passionately, but also with the serenity that can set an example for an excited public," the 79-year-old described the parliament.
Schäuble warned: "Parliament is always a political stage and not just a notarial event to work through coalition agreements," but also said: "And for this we have to be ready to expect something from people and not just give them answers like to be heard.
But develop solutions and put them up for discussion. "
Schäuble's speech as senior president: "Electoral reform does not tolerate delay"
Schäuble also allowed himself a swipe at the judiciary.
It is up to the MPs, "how far we allow our creative leeway as legislators to be restricted by a case law that sometimes goes at least to the limits of their mandate".
However, this also includes “not shifting responsibility that has to be exercised politically to the courts”.
For the CDU man, an effective electoral reform is also part of the politically perceived responsibility in order to reduce the size of the Bundestag, which has grown to 736 members.
He himself had failed with this plan in his own ranks.
This reform has not become easier, Schäuble now admits.
But: "She obviously does not tolerate any delay."
In typical Schäuble style: “If we succeeded in doing that with the electoral law, I would certainly not be sad after the bitter experience of the past legislative period, which was also bitter for me personally.
An electoral reform that deserves this name has not become a bit easier. "
Schäuble addresses climate activists: "Science cannot provide any final certainties"
Schäuble also gave something to the climate activists of “Fridays for Future” (FFF) in his speech: “We should bring the sometimes tough struggle for social majorities closer to those who are disappointed by the inertia of democratic processes with a view to climate change and require immediate action. "
He continued: “Your motives are understandable, but scientific knowledge alone is not politics.
By the way, science cannot provide any final certainty either, and in a democracy there is no one 'right' decision anyway. "
Standing ovations after Schäuble's speech in the new Bundestag
At the beginning of the pandemic, however, quick action was required, which Schäuble also addressed.
“Despite the uncertain dance of knowledge and knowing that scientific research was provisional, we had to make quick decisions and listen to different disciplines.” At the end of his speech, the MPs applauded standing up and Schäuble remarks: “Please don't bring me in too much Emotion. “Only his Union forgot him.
(frs with material from dpa)
