The speaker of the German parliament, Bärbel Bas, has criticized the harsh exchanges between lawmakers during plenary debates, warning that it could lead to more frustration among voters.
‘It certainly sets them off [citizens] and I find that dramatic,” Bas said on Wednesday against the German TV program “Markus Lanz”.
She cited numerous letters from citizens expressing their dissatisfaction with the disrespectful tone of the parliamentary conversations, with some saying: “This is not a parliament. It is 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 escalates one way or another: some discriminate, others don’t tolerate 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 chairing sessions has become increasingly difficult due to the toxic nature of exchanges.
Now that the upcoming federal elections are approaching, Bas fears that the debates will become even more heated. She called on her fellow politicians to exercise restraint and avoid escalating tensions.
While she believes robust debates are necessary, she stressed that personal attacks and smears should not be tolerated.
Bas emphasized that 80% to 90% of citizens support democracy, but many do not feel connected to the institutions that embody it.
She emphasized the importance of keeping the public involved in parliamentary debates and urged constructive exchanges that clearly highlight party differences.
