“You could almost think that was deliberate”: Bundestag President Bas starts with faux pas - Kubicki becomes cheeky

The new President of the Bundestag is called Bas, and her presidium consists of Özuguz, Magwas, Pau, Roth and Kubicki.

The first meeting was cheerful in the plenary.

Berlin - The new President of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas has five deputies - five women and one man.

They too were elected on Tuesday.

They are not unfamiliar faces.

And the only man among them, FDP vice-president Wolfgang Kubicki, cracked a joke in his new role.

Bas' new team includes Aydan Özoguz (SPD), Yvonne Magwas (CDU), Petra Pau (left), Claudia Roth (green) and Kubicki.

The latter three were re-elected.

When Kubicki was then asked in the plenary whether he would accept the election, he said into the microphone: "I am very happy to accept the result, next time I will also choose myself."

Video: Bärbel Bas is the new President of the Bundestag

Big laughter in the hall.

Because Kubicki's statement can be understood as a clear tease from Roth.

The difference in votes between the two party groups was only one vote.

It is unclear whether Roth actually chose himself.

At least she took the Kubicki swipe with humor and laughed too.

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Caused a laugh during the meeting: Wolfgang Kubick, FDP Vice and new Deputy President of the Bundestag.

© Kay Nietfeld / dpa

First Bundestag session: Bas forgets Kubicki - "you could almost think that it was on purpose"

Meanwhile, Bas caused brief irritations before the election for the deputy president of the Bundestag.

The SPD politician had forgotten Wolfgang Kubicki of all people when reading the candidates.

However, Bas was quickly made aware of the small faux pas.

"Oh now I have ... You could almost think that it was on purpose, but that's not the case," Bas replied and apologized to Kubicki.

He took the situation calmly and laughed along with his group.

Bas then went back to the agenda without any further incident, explained the voting modalities and, after the session was interrupted, announced the result of the election.

Kubicki received 565 yes-votes - one less than Claudia Roth

First session of the 20th Bundestag and Angela Merkel's last appearance as Chancellor

Bas is only the third time that a woman has headed the Bundestag.

The 53-year-old SPD politician was elected President of Parliament with a large majority on Tuesday.

In the grand coalition, Bas was not afraid of a dispute with Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) about the corona policy.

With the meeting of the new parliament, the term of office of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and her government ended.

She made her last appearance as Chancellor that day.

The federal government is now only executive in office.

From a purely legal point of view, the managing government can act like a normal one.

Traditionally, however, it exercises restraint so as not to restrict the future cabinet's room for maneuver.

This should be formed in the event of successful coalition negotiations between the SPD, Greens and FDP at the beginning of December.