Showdown in the German Bundestag: Parliament has voted on the traffic light's draft Corona law.
The debate was turbulent at times.
The news ticker.
Corona *
topic in the Bundestag
: Parliament passed the new traffic light * infection protection law on Thursday (
update from 12:18 p.m.
).
In the debate, the Managing Minister of Health Jens Spahn spoke up in an unusual way (
update from 10:04 a.m.
).
The question of whether the new measures will also be sufficient for the coming weeks and months has been
heatedly debated
- SPD expert Karl Lauterbach himself responded to criticism (
update from 10:34 a.m.
).
This
news ticker on the corona legislative process in the Bundestag
is updated regularly.
+++ This news ticker on the Corona law in the Bundestag has ended. +++
Update from November 18, 2:06 p.m.:
Now it is clear: In the roll-call vote on the new Infection
Protection Act
in the Bundestag, all parliamentary groups have shown great unity.
Apart from a few absent members of the Bundestag, all traffic light members of the SPD, Greens and FDP voted for the amendment on Thursday.
The parliamentary groups of Union and AfD opposed this unanimously.
There were only abstentions on the left.
The only member of the South Schleswig Voters' Association (SSW) in the Bundestag, Stefan Seidler, also voted for the new law, which is supposed to be the basis of future Corona containment measures.
The other non-attached MP, the AfD politician Matthias Helferich, voted against it.
It was the first roll-call vote since the constitution of the new Bundestag.
Also interesting:
The current corona situation came about because politicians had lost sight of the virus through the election, * comments
Munich-based Merkur
.
Update from November 18, 1.30 p.m.:
With the passage of the Infection Protection Act, Thursday, which is politically explosive, is far from over: As a result, the corona summit with the state ministers' presidents is coming up.
However, the important date starts late - we will keep you up to date in the associated ticker.
Update from November 18, 12:18 p.m.:
The result of the vote on the Infection
Protection Act is
now available: 688 votes were cast, 398 votes for the law, 254 votes against, and 36 abstentions.
"The draft law has been approved," stated Aydan Özoguz (SPD), Vice President of the Bundestag.
Corona: Infection Protection Act of the traffic light - Voting starts
Update from November 18, 10:53 a.m.:
Now it's time to vote: The application to update the epidemic situation is rejected by the SPD, Greens, FDP, AfD and Left, only the Union votes for its proposal.
The SPD, Greens *, FDP vote in the next step for the improvements they have made to their own draft for the Infection Protection Act.
Union and AfD reject the changes, the left abstains.
However, the new law has not yet been passed: At the request of the AfD, the amendment will be voted on by name - the MPs will now personally go to the ballot box and hand in their cards.
Update from November 18, 10:48 a.m.:
The parliamentary groups are still debating heatedly about the new Infection
Protection Act
.
During these minutes, the question of whether the amendment can ban catering operations or events (
see previous update
) is a
fierce argument
.
The Green MP Manuela Rottmann responds in a brief intervention to Luczak's allegations - she quotes from the draft law that Christmas markets or cultural and sporting events could be prohibited.
However, she does not speak of gastronomy.
Luczak counters again: “Don't throw sand in people's eyes,” he shouts: Christmas markets are not the “hotspots”.
Corona measures: CDU man brings Lauterbach assessment into the field - SPD expert reacts himself
+
Karl Lauterbach speaks on his interim question in the Bundestag.
© Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Update from November 18, 10:34 a.m.:
The CDU MP Jan-Marco Luczak argues with the SPD MP Karl Lauterbach: Lauterbach himself said that a lockdown would be necessary if 2G is not enough.
The virologist Christian Drosten again stated in an expert hearing * that 2G will probably not be enough.
But with the traffic light bill it will not be possible to close restaurants, bars or clubs.
In the main committee, the SPD, Greens and FDP have already announced that they will have to make improvements in two to three weeks: “That has nothing to do with serious politics!” Shouts Luczak.
Lauterbach speaks up with a question.
"If you are now demanding that we have ways of reintroducing the lockdown, why didn't you personally advocate introducing at least 2G when that would have helped." At the same time, Lauterbach admits: "We will be particularly affected Areas have to think about local closings if we can't get it under control otherwise. ”The SPD politician had already expressed alarm on the previous evening in the ZDF talk“ Markus Lanz ”*.
Corona dispute in the Bundestag: Unusual Spahn moment - everyone looks back
Update from November 18, 10:04 a.m.:
An extraordinary moment in the plenum: The Managing Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) speaks out with a brief intervention - he speaks as a standing member from the back of the meeting room. The heads of the factions are looking backwards accordingly. Spahn attests a "difficult situation" in view of the approaching transfer of power *. On October 15, he made "three suggestions" to the traffic light for further action, all three were rejected: "That is your decision."
The SPD, Greens and FDP responded to criticism and improved a lot, "that's good, right and important," says Spahn. In this respect, "a bit of both is right": He would like more opportunities for the federal states, while at the same time it is better to adopt the law presented than to have no regulation at all. An unusually balanced statement in the rather heated debate. The conclusion, however, turns out to be rather banal: “If, contrary to what we have proposed, and I have proposed with your majority, ultimately decide to go this way, then please do not always take someone else as a key witness for it , or as a punch ball. "
A reply comes from the Green MP Manuela Rottmann.
"Mr. Spahn, I actually think what you said is good because we get into a conversation," she says.
An offer to talk is beyond the vote.
“What it is sick with is that you don't make any specific suggestions,” she adds.
+
Jens Spahn during his brief intervention in the Bundestag.
© Screenshot: Phoenix
Corona dispute over the traffic light law: Union insists on epidemic situation - and receives bitter counterattack
Update from November 18, 9.47 a.m.:
This means that all parliamentary groups have had their say in the debate about the new Infection
Protection Act
. As expected, the SPD, Greens and FDP defended their draft - they referred to the possibility of tough measures such as 2G, event cancellations, club closings and increased legal security in their new package. Lockdowns could have been decided long ago and would continue to apply until December 15, emphasized SPD health politician Sabine Dittmar (
update from 9:05 a.m.
).
The CDU, on the other hand, spoke out in favor of a continuation of the epidemic situation, with reference to the sharp rise in infection numbers, but had to endure sharp replies, including FDP politician Marco Buschmann (
update from 9.25 a.m.
): The now discontinued instruments such as exit restrictions, general business and school closings the Union does not want itself after all.
Badly affected Union-led countries such as Bavaria and Saxony suffered above all from low vaccination rates.
The Infection Protection Act should continue to be debated until around 10.20 a.m.
Update from November 18, 9.47 a.m.:
SPD speaker Johannes Fechner has to respond to a brief intervention by the AfD: MP Norbert Kleinwächter complains that 3G in buses and trains poses unsolvable problems for many people in rural areas.
If there is no test option in one place, you cannot even get on a bus on Monday morning to be tested.
Fechner answers rather evasively: The federal states are required - further test offers would come.
Corona debate in the Bundestag: Left and AfD raise allegations
Update from November 18, 9:35 a.m.:
The left pulls out for a sweeping blow. The danger of the corona virus apparently depends on party colors - parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch taunts: In the summer, the SPD and the Greens would have agreed to the extension of the epidemic situation with a nationwide incidence of 19. The FDP apparently have “the authority to issue guidelines”. But he also criticizes the Union: "Of course we need regulations, this ghost driving in the Bundestag is negligent." Bartsch also criticizes the situation of the nursing staff in the clinics - the handling is "disrespectful", with every corona wave the health system becomes weaker.
Update from November 18, 9:31 a.m.:
The AfD raises serious allegations: The traffic light wants to "whip the de facto mandatory vaccination through parliament," says parliamentary group leader Tino Chrupalla.
Unvaccinated people are made into “scapegoats” instead of tackling problems such as staff shortages in hospitals.
“The vaccinations offered are not as permanent and reliable as initially hoped,” he adds.
Corona law in the Bundestag: FDP attacks Söder and Kretschmer - and doubts Union arguments
+
Marco Buschmann speaks about the Infection Protection Act.
© Michael Kappeler / dpa
Update from November 18, 9.25 a.m.:
The parliamentary managing director of the FDP, Marco Buschmann, again counters allegations that the traffic light is sending the wrong signal with the end of the epidemic situation. They are taking “very robust measures” - and have also put them on “legally secure feet”. The epidemic situation is primarily a “legal construct” that could have been called quite differently. Replacing it does not mean misunderstanding the drama.
The situation is particularly difficult where the vaccination and booster rates are weak, says Buschmann.
This is "especially the case in Saxony and Bavaria".
The liberal goes on the offensive: He asks the CDU and CSU rhetorically whether they want “illegal curfews”, blanket business closings or lockdowns including school closings - the answer is no.
With this, the Union of the traffic light agrees in principle with regard to the content.
Corona dispute in the Bundestag: Green Göring-Eckardt provides amusement with Merkel quote
Update from November 18, 9:17 a.m.:
The first parliamentary celebrity to speak is Green Party leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt. At the start of her speech, she provided amusement in the plenary with a quote from the Chancellor. “You won't go with your head through the wall, because in the end the wall always wins,” she says - even Angela Merkel * smiles. “You don't even know where the door is,” the Green calls out to the critics of the traffic light plans. She accuses the old federal government and the states of negligence: The Corona cabinet has not met for a long time, there is far too little 2G in the states and none of the lockdowns required by the Union.
Goering-Eckardt says that one cannot continue to act like at a time when there was not even enough vaccine for those over the age of 70 - and Corona will not go away with the continuation of the epidemic situation.
"You can now take drastic measures everywhere, in Saxony and in Bavaria," she said to the Prime Minister.
At the request of the federal states, a transitional phase for lockdown regulations until after the 3rd Advent was included in the law: "But then it has to be done now!"
+
Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Bundestag on Thursday.
© Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Update from November 18, 9.11 a.m.:
The first reply belongs to the Union - Union parliamentary group Vice Stefan Stracke (CDU) speaks.
He accuses the traffic lights of saying that their draft “does not do justice to the drama of the situation”.
“Today you make your first mistakes!” He calls out to what he calls the “left-yellow coalition”: “You are reducing the measures, that cannot go well.” Stracke calls for the epidemic situation to be prolonged.
The tightening of the traffic light law is also not sufficient.
Corona showdown in the Bundestag: SPD politician defends traffic light plans and makes bitter accusations against the Union
Update from November 18, 9:05 a.m.:
SPD health politician Sabine Dittmar first explains the plans for the traffic light parties.
The draft even increases the level of protection, she says: There are "more options for efficient action" for the federal states - as well as "legal security", also for 2G +.
With the decision of the state parliament, events could also be canceled or discotheques temporarily closed, adds Dittmar.
"Your application on the epidemic situation is threadbare and transparent," she calls the Union.
The federal states could have used all of the measures that are no longer applicable after the "situation" has ended, and they can still do so - with continued validity until December 15th.
Corona law of the traffic light in the Bundestag: Day of the decision - the head of the health insurance company warns of scare tactics
Update from November 18, 9:00 a.m.:
A groundbreaking session is starting this minute in the Bundestag: The traffic light parties want to bring the new Infection Protection Act through parliament in the second and third readings - as a replacement for the "epidemic situation" that is running out. Hot discussions are to be expected. The real acid test does not wait until Friday. Then the law has to pass the Federal Council. The Union recently threatened with a veto, it would have the necessary majority.
Meanwhile, head of statutory health insurance physicians, Andreas Gassen, warned against panic-mongering.
"The situation is difficult, but there is no reason to panic," Gassen told the editorial network in Germany.
"Some politicians and experts in particular are trying to put the traffic light parties under extreme pressure with gloomy scenarios and warnings that seem almost hysterical," he said.
So far, however, the SPD, Greens and FDP have shown a cool head.
"It is still right to lift the pandemic emergency because the regulations would no longer have withstood the courts," said Gassen.
Corona law in the Bundestag today: CDU / CSU threaten with blockade - Greens chief Habeck warns
Update from November 18, 8:30 a.m.:
Federal Council President Bodo Ramelow (left) has
sharply criticized
the reservations of the Union-led federal states against the corona plans of the traffic light groups (
see previous update
). "What Mr. Wüst announces is quite a hammer," said the Thuringian Prime Minister to the
editorial network Germany
on Thursday.
Update from November 18, 8:00 a.m .:
Vote on Corona law in the Bundestag: Union parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU) said that the expiry of the epidemic emergency sends the “devastating political signal” that the situation is “no longer so bad” . But Germany is "probably facing the hardest weeks in the pandemic." His parliamentary group therefore wants to apply for an extension of the emergency in the vote on Thursday morning in the Bundestag.
NRW Prime Minister Wüst described the end of the epidemic emergency as "irresponsible" in a letter to Scholz. The Union countries could therefore not agree in the Bundesrat. The Union is currently involved in eight out of 16 state governments and could actually prevent an adoption in the Federal Council with its votes. For his part, Scholz emphasized that “very far-reaching measures” were contained in the new law presented by the SPD, Greens and FDP. He referred to the planned stricter test obligation in nursing homes, to the future 3G rule at work and in public transport and to requirements for more home office again.
FDP leader Christian Lindner also defended the approach.
"The tools for fighting pandemics contain everything that was necessary and effective," he emphasized at an event organized by the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
.
This also applies to possible contact restrictions.
Green leader Robert Habeck warned the Union of a blockade of the Infection Protection Act.
"I can only appeal to the Union not to evade the joint effort," said Habeck to the broadcasters RTL and NTV.
It could not be in the interests of the Union-led federal states to “revert to the state before the pandemic”.
Corona law in the news ticker: day of the decision?
Wüst railed: "Point we never wanted to get to"
Update from November 18, 7:00 a.m .:
The traffic light parties want to quickly create a legal basis for local conditions if the “epidemic situation of national scope” previously determined by the Bundestag expires on November 25. But there is criticism. North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) affirmed on Wednesday evening in the ARD “Tagesthemen”: “In this pandemic, we are so close to the point we never wanted to get to, namely that hospitals have to decide who is still being treated will, ”he said. You need a “full instrument kit” to protect people, said Wüst, who is chairman of the conference of prime ministers.
The Union is currently involved in 10 out of 16 state governments and could prevent approval with its votes in the Bundesrat. Wüst left open on Wednesday evening whether the Union will really block the legislative plans in the regional chamber. “We now want to wait and see what the Bundestag decides.” Greens boss Robert Habeck said on Wednesday evening in the program “RTL Aktuell Spezial”: “If this bill is blocked in the Bundesrat, we no longer have a legal national basis, then it will fall let's go back to the level before the pandemic. ”The number of infections is so high“ that it will be inevitable that in about 14 days the hospital system in Germany will be overloaded ”.
Update from November 18, 6:30 a.m.:
This Thursday, November 18, 9 a.m., the Bundestag is discussing the new Infection Protection Act.
Among other things, this provides for the 3G rule at work and on public transport.
In addition, the federal states are given the opportunity to maintain certain measures such as mask requirements and contact restrictions.
Without a change in the law, this would no longer be possible after the epidemic of national importance came to an end on November 25th.
Update from November 17, 11:20 p.m .:
CDU / CSU and Angela Merkel's Chancellery are submitting their own Corona resolution proposal * to the “traffic light” after the pandemic plans.
And she has the talent.
You can read an overview of the proposed tough rules under the link.
Corona law (Bundestag) in the ticker: "Traffic light" draft resolution from the SPD, Greens and FDP in focus
First report from November 17th:
Munich / Berlin - Germany looks spellbound on the Platz der Republik 1 in Berlin this Thursday (November 18th).
Here, where the German Bundestag is located, the parliament comes together to deliberate on the Corona draft law of the possible traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP.
Ultimately, in order to vote on the draft resolution of the three parliamentary groups of the (probably) future federal government in the readings.
There was plenty of criticism from the Union in advance: Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) * considers the current plans of the "traffic light" in the fight against the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic * to be insufficient.
Everything must be done to stop the exponential increase in the number of corona infections, said Merkel on Wednesday, according to information from the
German Press Agency (dpa)
at a hybrid meeting of the Union faction in the Bundestag.
Merkel is said to have said that what is currently being discussed by the traffic light parties is not sufficient for this.
Corona law (Bundestag) in the news ticker: Union and Angela Merkel put pressure on "traffic lights"
It was only in mid-November, but the situation was much more tense than it was before last winter, said the 67-year-old.
The Chancellor was further quoted as saying: “It worries me very much.
I would like to say something happier.
Unfortunately, I can't do that. ”The Bund-Länder-Round, i.e. the Corona summit, also had to deal with the question of when to go beyond measures such as 2G - access only for convalescent and vaccinated people - this Thursday.
After almost 33 months of pandemic, German politicians are once again working on the most uniform corona rules possible in the federal jumble of competence - for retail, schools and day-care centers, the workplace, sport and gastronomy.
One thing was already considered certain a day before the debate in parliament: A central demand from SPD Corona expert Karl Lauterbach should come - namely a nationwide 2G rule * for almost all areas of public life.
Corona law (Bundestag) in the news ticker: Central demand from Karl Lauterbach (SPD) should come
"We have to rely on 2G wherever it is somehow possible", Lauterbach
had already told
the
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND)
at the beginning of November.
A few days later, when asked by the
Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ)
, the Rhinelander added
: “The most important decision would now be to introduce the 2G regulation across the board and also to control it.
In my opinion, no measure has a similar meaning for the infection process, and I also don't understand why we hesitate for so long. ”Now politicians in Berlin obviously no longer want to hesitate to switch to the 2G rule *.
+
Corona expert of the SPD: Health politician Karl Lauterbach.
© IMAGO / Future Image
Follow the corona legislative process in the Bundestag this Thursday in the news ticker.
(pm)
*
Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Screenshot: Phoenix
