- The outdated parliamentary chair is currently in use.
The aging parliamentary furnishings from the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament, which were temporarily relocated to the Steinhalle of the Mainz Landesmuseum while their original plenary hall underwent renovations, have yet to be repurposed. The assembly announced that the furniture, comprising chairs, tables, and the speaker's podium, has been disassembled and stored securely in a facility in the Hunsrück. To determine how and for what purpose "this cultural relic" could be utilized in the future, contemplation is ongoing.
Dating back to 1987, this distinctive furniture marked a significant moment in German parliamentary history as it represented the creation of the country's first circular plenary hall within the historic Deutschhaus, allowing legislators and government representatives to engage at eye level. Following the Deutschhaus renovation, the furniture temporarily served as the Steinhalle's plenary hall from 2016 to early 2021.
During this period, the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament considered turning the Steinhalle into a "democracy lab" in conjunction with the antique furniture. However, this plan ultimately did not materialize. As a result, the Landesmuseum can now utilize the Steinhalle, formerly a baroque riding hall, for its own purposes. Nonetheless, the possibility of establishing a democracy learning center at a different location remains, mentioned Landtag spokesperson Marco Sussmann.
The disassembled furniture from the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament, including chairs, tables, and the speaker's podium, is currently stored in a secure facility in the Hunsrück. It is yet to be decided how this historical furniture, which played a significant role in German parliamentary history, will be repurposed in the future.
