Status: 30.10.2023, 14:28 PM
By: Mike Schier
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Bavaria's state parliament could be threatened with shrill tones in the new legislature, comments Mike Schier. © Editing: Imago/Zuma Wire/Sachelle Babbar/Sleep/fn
Just in time for the constituent session of the state parliament, the AfD is causing a stir - possibly a foretaste of the new legislature, comments Mike Schier.
Munich - The German Press Agency wrote of a "celebration of democracy". But a shadow hangs over today's constituent session of the state parliament. The fact that a new member of parliament – and one who was to sit prominently on the podium at the opening as the youngest representative of the people – was wanted by arrest warrant is unique. And unfortunately, it is to be feared that the unpleasant process only provides a foretaste of an even more shrill culture of debate in the state parliament. The AfD even accuses the independent judiciary of political motives in its investigations – a strong piece!
In order to enforce democratic rules, a clear line is needed in parliament
The president of the state parliament, Ilse Aigner, would do well to announce a clear line from the outset and to hold out the prospect of harsher penalties for misdemeanours. It is also true that the other parties occupy the posts of vice-presidents in a much more political way. The Greens are sending their former parliamentary group leader Ludwig Hartmann, while the CSU opted for Tobias Reiß, who was also considered a candidate for the cabinet. The focus is no longer on representative tasks, but on a clear line for enforcing democratic rules in parliament.
AfD deputies deliberately use state parliament as a venue for scandals
In its first legislative period, the (completely divided) AfD had used the plenum several times as a venue for scandals. One of them demonstratively remained seated in the front row at the commemoration of the murdered Walter Lübcke. Another stepped up to the lectern wearing a gas mask during a Corona debate. For 25 years, the state parliament managed without reprimands, in the last period it was 25. Democracy needs a tough culture of debate. But it certainly doesn't need a decay of morals.
Mike Schier