In a rare candid interview, German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), expressed her willingness to step down as President if the SPD loses the upcoming federal election. Traditionally, the party with the most seats in the Bundestag appoints the President and Bas acknowledged that it would be awkward for her to continue in the role if her party is not in the majority.
Bas also criticized the recent Bundestag debate, calling it a “low point” and a far cry from the “stellar moments” the parliament is capable of. She watched the debate on television, saying at times she thought, “It can’t be true, what’s happening here.” The Bundestag President emphasized that the debate was a “historical turning point” as parties of the center had previously agreed not to form governments with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Bas had personally trusted Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), on this issue.
The Bundestag President expressed serious concerns about the future of German politics, stating that the tone has become even more contentious since the recent debate. She lamented the loss of trust among lawmakers, describing the atmosphere as “icy” and expressing uncertainty about how the country can come together again after the election. “Germany cannot afford it if a government only forms in the summer” Bas warned.