Bundestag - Traffic light wants to introduce tougher rules for rowdy MPs
Persons who insult other deputies in the plenary session of the Bundestag or disrupt committees will in the future face stronger sanctions, as agreed upon by Ampel politicians. This proposal, which was drafted by the SPD, Greens, and FDP factions, will be put to a vote on Tuesday. The proposal states that in the future, an automatic fine of 2,000 Euro should be imposed if a parliamentarian receives three order calls within three legislative weeks.
According to the current regulations in the Rules of Procedure, the president of the Bundestag can set a fine of 1,000 Euro against a member of the Bundestag without an order call having been issued. In repeated cases, the fine increases to 2,000 Euro.
The fine amount is planned to be raised to 2,000 Euro, and in repeated cases, it would be 4,000 Euro.
According to coalition sources, the proposal will be discussed in first reading on Wednesday. Government coalition representatives have reported to the German Press Agency that they could not reach a consensus with the Union faction on a joint proposal, but they are still holding onto this goal.
"We also want to expand the rights of opposition factions: Public hearings requested by them must be dealt with within ten legislative weeks in the future," says Filiz Polat from the Greens. Previously, there were no time limits for this. In the proposal, it is also suggested to add the following sentence to the Rules of Procedure: "Any insulting or discriminatory, especially racist or sexist statements or behavior towards another member or third parties should be avoided."
The powers of chairpersons are to be expanded further. According to the proposal, the chair should receive formal disciplinary authority over members. In cases of significant disruptions, the chair, with the approval of a qualified majority, can exclude the disturber from further deliberations. The Rules of Procedure of the Bundestag date mainly from the year 1980, says Johannes Fechner (SPD). A fundamental modernization is necessary. It is also about enabling livelier debates, emphasizes Stephan Thomae (FDP). For example, questions and interjections during current affairs hours should now be allowed.
This proposed sanction increase, primarily driven by the SPD, Greens, and FDP factions in the German Bundestag, aims to impose an automatic administrative fine of 2000 Euro for Deputies who receive three order calls within three legislative weeks. The current fine, set by the Bundestag's president, ranges from 1000 to 2000 Euro, depending on the number of repetitions. Despite the FDP's encouragement for more livelier debates, including allowing interjections during current affairs hours in Berlin, there seems to be ongoing disagreements with the Union faction on certain provisions.
