German Federal Parliament President Julia Klöckner Calls for More Professional Attire in the Plenary Hall
German Federal Parliament President Julia Klöckner, a member of the Christian Democratic Union, has urged parliamentarians to dress more professionally in the plenary hall, citing the importance of maintaining the institution’s dignity. In an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Klöckner stated, “The parliament is not a catwalk, but when we talk about the high esteem and dignity of the institution, then one should not come dressed as if one were going to a sports event or to tape a room.”
Klöckner’s remarks were in response to a recent incident where a Left Party member was not allowed to wear a beanie in the plenary hall. She defended her decision, saying, “If I allow this hat, the next one will come with a golf cap and the third with a helmet. That simply doesn’t belong.”
Furthermore, Klöckner criticized the Left Party’s representative who wore a sweatshirt with a pro-Palestine slogan, stating that it was a breach of the Bundestag’s business order, which clearly states that political debates should be conducted through words, not through stickers, posters, or other symbols.
The parliament president also lamented the use of the Bundestag by the Left Party and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) for self-promotion on social media. She noted that these parties often use the plenary hall as a stage to create content for their online communities, rather than engaging in genuine debates.
Klöckner expressed concern that both parties are in a kind of competition for the most order infractions, stating, “It’s noticeable that there are several candidates for the first place in rule-breaking. That should not be seen as an achievement.