Lawmaker Kloeckner pushes for stricter dress code in Germany's parliament, Bundestag.

"Plenary Hall is Not a Casual Gathering Spot" - Kloeckner Argues for Formal Attire in the Bundestag

Klöckner advocates for a more formal dress code within the Bundestag

Kloeckner, Germany's Bundestag President, has encouraged politicians to dress more formally in the Plenary Hall. She stated, "The parliament isn't a fashion show." If we're discussing the hall's decorum, it's not appropriate to stroll in wearing gym clothes or wallpaper supplies. The fact that we're even discussing this indicates the Bundestag is under attack."

Persistent Infractions

Kloeckner stood her ground on her decision to eject a Left Party politician for donning a beret. "If I tolerate this beret, then the next guy arrives with a golf cap, and the third with a battle helmet. That's simply inappropriate," she said. A Left Party MP sporting a sweatshirt emblazoned with pro-Palestine slogans also violated the Bundestag's procedures. "The rules clearly indicate political content must be addressed solely through words, not through stickers, banners, or other symbols," stated Kloeckner.

Political Theater

Kloeckner criticized the Left Party and AfD for exploiting the Bundestag as a platform for digital media self-promotion. "In the Bundestag, we have a larger-than-life Left and a significantly grown AfD that seem to need each other for TikTok and other platforms. But the Plenary Hall is not a stage to produce content for social media. It's about deliberating effectively through speech."

Critics and Controversy

Rival political parties view Kloeckner's severity as a power grab or snooty behavior. "It seems Klöckner wants to run a fashion show rather than a legislative body," said a spokesperson for the Left Party. However, Kloeckner argues her actions uphold the institution's prestige and curb political activism within the Plenary Hall.

[Source: ntv.de, gut]

Julia Kloeckner
German Bundestag
Alliance 90/The Greens
The Left

Key Insights:

Stricter dress codes have been implemented in the German Bundestag, particularly towards members of the Left Party.
The Bundestag President's actions aim to maintain the institution's decorum and professionalism.
Political expressions via clothing are discouraged, as seen in the expulsion of MPs for pro-Palestine and "ACAB" attire.
Kloeckner tries to protect institutions from controversial statements and the Bundestag being exploited for digital media self-promotion.
Klöckner's enforcement focuses on upholding the institution's prestige and neutrality, curbing political activism in the Plenary Hall.

In the context of the debate surrounding dress codes in the German Bundestag, the COM (90) 525 final Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes could be used as a model for establishing formal attire, formalizing the political discourse within the Plenary Hall. The general-news media outlets might report on the increasing politicization of the Bundestag, including the use of clothing as a means of political expression, which has led to controversy and the establishment of stricter guidelines.