Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) reflected on the year since she took office, noting a positive interim assessment. “We have worked out the biggest procedural reform in over 40 years” she told the “Rheinische Post”. “It has led to a noticeable settling down”. Members of parliament are now weighing whether they are willing to risk up to €4,000 in fines. Most of the recent reprimands have come against the AfD, followed by the Left party, she added.
Regarding her own conduct in chairing sessions, Klöckner explained: “Before I personally issue a reprimand, I first calmly remind the speaker to keep to the rules, caution them if they cross verbal boundaries or display prohibited symbols. Often just a firm reminder softens the debate”. When asked whether she would soften the enforcement of etiquette rules in the face of polarization, she replied, “No. Why? Anyone who breaches the agreed rules is reminded and must face the consequences. The tone was very harsh at the beginning; it has improved”.
Klöckner believes that snippets of plenary debates shared by MPs on social media have consequences. “Something has changed: excerpts can be distorted. We can’t censor them”. She emphasized the importance of being present on digital channels. “The Bundestag must be available there to present debates in their full breadth and explain background. We are, in a sense, the original, unfiltered source-both analog and digital” she said.
When asked about recruiting a specialist to manage a planned TikTok channel, Klöckner clarified, “I’m not viewing TikTok dismissively. As long as the digital front remains open, we need to be present on it”. Over 20 million Germans have a TikTok account, and for young people it is often the primary, sometimes only, source of information. “We can’t ignore that, especially as more young people turn to the margins. Good digital communication isn’t something you can just do on a whim, so the position is necessary” she explained.