The German Parliament’s infrastructure is facing a mounting crisis, exposing systemic failings in its construction and raising concerns about the prioritization of aesthetics over long-term functionality. Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the Bundestag and Chairman of the Parliamentary Building and Space Affairs Committee, has publicly criticized severe structural defects plaguing the parliamentary buildings, leading to persistent odor problems and necessitating extensive, costly renovations.
Nouripour detailed a particularly egregious error involving the installation of what are known as SML pipes, used for wastewater drainage, in a horizontal configuration. This design flaw, he stated, drastically accelerates corrosion, traps waste and generates sulfuric acid, further damaging the pipes and causing the unpleasant smells now permeating the plenary hall and the Jakob-Kaiser House. “Any professional would recognize that the horizontal installation was deeply misguided” Nouripour told “Der Spiegel”.
While acknowledging that some initial issues with roof leaks have been addressed, Nouripour emphasized the temporary nature of these fixes. He pointed to a broader pattern of errors made during the construction of the Berlin parliamentary complex over two decades ago. “There was too much emphasis on aesthetics and too little on reliability” he argued. He specifically cited the vulnerability of the flat roofs, particularly susceptible to damage during heavy rainfall due to insufficient drainage angles, causing gradual deterioration of seals.
The scale of the required repairs is staggering. Nouripour revealed that approximately two-thirds of the Bundestag’s buildings and offices for parliamentarians and staff will require significant renovation within the next 20 years. This translates to a continuous renovation process impacting between 800 and 1,000 offices.
The situation fuels a growing political debate surrounding budgetary priorities and the oversight provided during the initial construction project. Critics are questioning whether adequate quality control measures were in place and whether the pressure to deliver a visually striking parliament led to compromises in essential structural integrity. The ongoing crisis serves as a stark reminder of the long-term costs of neglecting essential infrastructure and the potential political fallout of prioritizing appearance over durability. Concerns are now being raised about the potential impact on parliamentary operations and the burden on taxpayers.