Journalist Gordon Repinski was ejected on Monday from a joint gathering involving members of the CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary groups. The evening’s event was hosted at the “Ossis Bar” located in the subterranean levels of the German Parliamentary Society, attended by Jens Spahn (CDU), Matthias Miersch (SPD), and Alexander Hoffmann (CSU).
According to Repinski, he had also been invited to the event, with the invitation reportedly even being written. However, he claimed that journalists were ultimately not welcome. He quoted Hendrik Hoppenstedt, the Parliamentary Director for the CDU/CSU group, stating, “We like you, of course, but only for members of parliament today”. Repinski mentioned that Jens Spahn reportedly agreed with this statement.
Before being removed, Repinski was able to observe the following: “Small talk in groups with a drink, initially tending to be separated between the SPD and the CDU/CSU. Matthias Miersch and Lina Seitzl were standing together. Shortly after, Jakob Blankenburg arrived, followed by Paul Ziemiak”.
In a separate political development unrelated to the incident, Spahn is scheduled to run for re-election as the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on Tuesday afternoon. This aligns with the customary procedure that takes place approximately twelve months into a legislative term, and there is currently no expected opponent.