In a recent development, the German Union has reaffirmed its criticism of Heidi Reichinnek, the leader of the Left Faction, following her failure to secure a seat in the Parliamentary Control Committee (PKGr). The Union’s General Secretary, Martin Huber, told the Spiegel that the committee requires “trustworthy individuals” due to its access to confidential information and oversight of the country’s intelligence services.
Steffen Bilger, the Parliamentary Leader of the Union’s faction, echoed Huber’s sentiments, stating that Reichinnek is unsuitable for the PKGr due to her party’s failure to distance itself from the left extremism and its ambiguous stance on anti-Semitism. Bilger emphasized the need for the Parliament to have confidence in the control committee, which Reichinnek’s presence would undermine.
Reichinnek, however, expressed her indignation at the Union’s negative votes, describing them as “completely unnecessary and partisan.” She suggested that the Union’s disapproval was a retaliatory measure, stemming from her criticism of Friedrich Merz’s alliance with the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Reichinnek deemed such behavior unworthy of the control committee.