The Bundestag Isn't a Workout Studio or DIY Store: Kloeckner Speaks Out on Appropriate Attire
Klöckner advocates for a change in attire in the Bundestag
Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner is advocating for Members of Parliament to dress more professionally in the plenary hall. In an interview with the German Press Agency, she said, "The parliament isn't a freakin' gym or a home improvement store, for crying out loud! We're talking about the darn integrity of the House here. You shouldn't waltz in like you're about to hit the treadmill or slather wallpaper paste on the walls."
Kloeckner explained that while the parliament isn't a catwalk, members should still respect the prestige of the institution. "It's not about being snobbish or stuck-up; it's about conveying a sense of seriousness and respect for the proceedings," she said.
Kloeckner's comments come after two members of the Left Party drew attention for their attire in the Bundestag. One wore a beret, while another donned a sweatshirt with a pro-Palestine message. Kloeckner decided to ask these members to leave the plenary hall, explaining, "If I give the green light to this beret, the next thing you know, we've got a parade of golf caps and steel helmets. That's just ridiculous!"
The rules of procedure for the Bundestag clearly state that political content should be expressed verbally, not through stickers, banners, or other symbols. Kloeckner pointed out, "I wanted to make that incredibly clear at the beginning of this legislative period."
Kloeckner also criticized the Left Party and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) for using the Bundestag as a platform for self-promotion on social media. "It's like the darn Bundestag is a stage for a bloomin' TikTok video or something! But let me remind you, we're here to debate, not to become internet sensations," she said.
Politics The Beret Saga Continues: Another Left Party Member Kicked Out of the Plenary Hall This isn't the first time a Left Party member has been asked to leave the plenary hall due to their clothing. In early June, Left Party MP Cansin Kocguruk was removed for wearing a T-shirt with the inscription "Palestine." Two weeks earlier, her faction colleague Marcel Bauer was also kicked out for wearing a beret.
Kloeckner has been firm in her stance, emphasizing, "These aren't awards to be won. This shouldn't be seen as a competition for who can violate rules the most."
Sources: ntv.de, gut
- Julia Kloeckner
- German Bundestag
- Alliance 90/The Greens
- The Left
- The ongoing issue of inappropriate attire in the Bundestag, as demonstrated by recent events, such as the kicking out of Left Party members for wearing a beret and a pro-Palestine sweatshirt, has led to the German Bundestag President, Julia Kloeckner, comparing it to a social media platform like TikTok, raising concerns about the use of the parliament as a tool for self-promotion in the realm of politics and general-news.
- The debate over attire in the Bundestag culminated in a final proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes, with Julia Kloeckner emphasizing the need for professional attire that reflects the gravity and prestige of the institution, aligning with the politics and general-news discourse surrounding the integrity and decorum of the German parliament.
