The German Parliament’s Green Party has voiced strong support for a proposed tightening of the parliamentary law, echoing calls from Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) to exclude extremist staff employed by parliamentarians from state funding. The initiative, detailed in a letter from Klöckner to party faction leaders, aims to address the growing concern regarding the infiltration of extremist views within the legislative body.
Konstantin von Notz, deputy parliamentary group leader for the Greens and a senior member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee for Intelligence Services, stated that it is “only right and consistent” to prevent individuals actively undermining Germany’s parliamentary democracy from receiving public funds. He acknowledged the need for a “discussion regarding an improvement of the parliamentary law” and confirmed the party’s openness to exploring such changes.
Klöckner’s proposal suggests an employment ban for staff members who fail reliability checks necessary for obtaining a Bundestag access pass. These individuals, deemed a security risk, should no longer be eligible for funding derived from taxpayer money. The move signals a heightened response to instances of extremist sympathies and potential security threats within the parliamentary sphere.
Von Notz’s comments extended beyond the immediate proposal, highlighting a broader need to bolster the resilience of the Bundestag. He specifically criticized the conservative CDU/CSU (Unionsfraktion) for past obstructions, particularly regarding the expansion of the Bundestag’s internal security force. This pointed critique underscores a growing political tension, suggesting that the Green Party views the current situation as requiring a more resolute and comprehensive approach – one that demands action from the traditionally hesitant conservative bloc. The debate is expected to intensify, potentially reshaping the landscape of parliamentary security protocols and sparking further scrutiny of the vetting processes for parliamentary staff.