Berlin's election chaos: Ampel wants to have new elections in twelve constituencies - director finds it "unnecessary"

Created: 07/08/2022 1:39 p.m

By: Florian Naumann

Ulrike Rockmann, Deputy Berlin State Returning Officer, speaks at a press conference.

© Christoph Soeder/dpa/archive image

The capital experienced chaos during the federal elections.

The traffic light now wants to be voted on again in 12 constituencies – but Berlin is slowing down.

Berlin – There could be an aftermath to the 2021 federal election and above all to the sometimes chaotic conditions in Berlin: the Bundestag’s election examination committee apparently wants to recommend a repetition of the ballot in around 400 Berlin electoral districts.

The traffic light factions had agreed on this, reports

, citing the chairman of the election examination committee, Johannes Fechner (SPD).

Berlin's returning officer sees the situation differently.

Bundestag election: Aftermath for Berlin chaos?

Traffic light wants to repeat because of "serious error"

According to Fechner, the reason for the recommendation is “serious electoral errors”.

The right to vote is the central opportunity for citizens to participate.

"Therefore, electoral errors of this magnitude must be corrected by new elections," said Fechner, also parliamentary director of the SPD parliamentary group, the news magazine.

All twelve Berlin Bundestag constituencies would be affected.

According to the report, the Bundestag is to decide on the recommendation in October.

Information from the Berlin Constitutional Court, which will meet in September, should also be taken into account.

Parliament went into its last scheduled session before the summer recess on Friday (July 8) - with the approval of Sweden and Finland joining NATO and a small "bumping" scandal.

Bundestag elections: new polls in 400 Berlin electoral districts?

Election manager finds it "unnecessary"

Berlin's acting election officer, Ulrike Rockmann, considers the partial repetition of the federal election to be unnecessary.

The central question remains whether the breakdowns in the elections last September had an impact on the composition of the Bundestag, she told the dpa on Friday.

"I stand by my assessment that I do not see the empirical basis for a repeat election." Rockmann had already represented this position at the end of May at a hearing by the Bundestag's election examination committee.

There were numerous mishaps in the capital during the elections to the Bundestag, the House of Representatives and the district assemblies in September 2021 - such as missing ballot papers, long queues or polling stations that had been closed in the meantime.

There were even reports of voters being sent home without voting.

Numerous objections to the election result were therefore received by the Berlin State Constitutional Court and the Bundestag Election Review Committee.

Berlin in the election chaos: By-elections at the state level are also possible - experts criticized

Partial or complete by-elections to the House of Representatives are also possible.

The Berlin State Constitutional Court must decide on this.

"By-elections could be organized within a few months, no question about it," said Rockmann.

The state returning authority had already thought about it when the objections to the election became known.

It would be conceivable to organize by-elections for the House of Representatives and the Bundestag on two different dates, said Rockmann.

"But also in one day.

I see no problem with that.”

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The Berlin Senate Administration had set up a commission of experts to deal with the electoral glitches.

She handed over her final report on Wednesday, in which she criticized, among other things, inadequate logistical planning of polling stations and polling booths.

The panel also made suggestions for improving future elections and votes.

After the numerous election glitches last fall, state returning officer Petra Michaelis resigned.

Rockmann has taken over the office temporarily.

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