The president of Germany’s parliament, Bärbel Bas, has criticized the harsh exchanges between lawmakers during plenary debates, warning that this could lead to increased voter frustration.
“It certainly puts them [citizens] off, and I find that dramatic,” Bas told the German tv programme “Markus Lanz” on Wednesday.
She cited numerous letters from citizens expressing dismay at the disrespectful tone of parliamentary exchanges, with some saying, “This is not a parliament. It’s worse than a kindergarten, worse than a schoolyard,” Bas said.
According to Bas, this divisive dynamic is no longer limited to one party but involves escalating rhetoric from all factions.
“It’s like a spiral that somehow escalates: some discriminate, others don’t put up with it,” she said.
The centre-left SPD politician, who has served in the Bundestag, as the country’s lower house of parliament is known, since 2009, said that chairing sessions has become increasingly difficult due to the toxic nature of exchanges.
With the upcoming federal election approaching, Bas is concerned that debates will become even more heated. She called on her fellow politicians to exercise restraint and avoid escalating tensions.
While she believes strong debates are necessary, she emphasized that personal attacks and defamation should not be tolerated.
Bas emphasized that 80% to 90% of citizens support democracy, but many feel disconnected from the institutions that embody it.
She stressed the importance of keeping the public engaged in parliamentary debates, urging for constructive exchanges where party differences are clearly presented.
