The co-leader of the Left Party parliamentary group, Heidi Reichinnek, has called for Bundestag President Julia Klöckner to resign. Reichinnek suggested Klöckner should step down if prioritizing engagement with right-wing elements over fulfilling the duties of her office, according to statements given to the Tagesspiegel newspaper.
The call follows Klöckner’s appearance at a summer festival hosted by the CDU in Koblenz. The event took place at an innovation forum largely owned by an entrepreneur who also co-finances the online portal “Nius”. During the reception, Klöckner reportedly drew a comparison between “Nius” and the “taz” newspaper, suggesting their methodologies were not dissimilar.
Reichinnek strongly criticized these remarks, stating Klöckner was invoking the concept of a political “horseshoe” – the idea that the far-left and far-right are closer to each other than to the political center – and downplaying right-wing agitation and disinformation. She further asserted that Klöckner’s participation was normalizing practices seen in the United States and was unacceptable for a Member of Parliament, let alone the Bundestag President.
Criticism of Klöckner’s statements extended beyond the opposition. Wiebke Esdar, Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader for the SPD, told the Tagesspiegel that equating the “taz” with a platform like “Nius” was completely inappropriate. She emphasized the “taz”‘s long-standing role in Germany’s diverse media landscape and adherence to journalistic standards, contrasting it with what she described as the polarizing and politically driven approach of “Nius”. Esdar argued that such equivalencies erode trust in independent media.
Irene Mihalic, Parliamentary Director for the Green Party, echoed these concerns, stating Klöckner’s appearance rightly drew criticism and that her subsequent defense had not ameliorated the situation. Mihalic highlighted that “Nius” disseminates narratives from the extreme right and has, at times, spread false information. She asserted that normalizing such content and presenting it as legitimate journalism is a tactic employed by the far-right and the Bundestag President should not contribute to it.
Pascal Reddig, a CDU parliamentarian, defended Klöckner, arguing that anyone who advocates for freedom of the press and opinion must also accept a broad range of views and journalistic offerings. He stated Klöckner had rightly made this point and that it was an expectation for the Bundestag President.