MP Köktürk Kicked Out for "Palestine" T-Shirt
Left-Wing Bundestag Representatives from Bochum Removed from the Federal Parliament
In a heated political drama, MP Cansin Köktürk from The Left Party rocked up to a parliamentary session donning a T-shirt with the bold statement "Palestine". The 31-year-old's unconventional attire quickly caught the attention of parliamentary President Julia Kloeckner of the CDU, who deemed it a political no-no in the plenary session.
Initially, Kloeckner requested a private chat with Köktürk, hoping to persuade her to switch out the T-shirt. When Köktürk stood her ground, refusing to budge, Kloeckner took matters into her own hands, expelling the Bochum MP from the plenary hall.
Parliamentary Peculiarities
The German Bundestag clings to a strict code of conduct when it comes to political expressions on clothing. These rules are designed to uphold the decorum and impartiality of the institution. The rules state that MPs and visitors are prohibited from showing political messages—like stickers or T-shirt slogans—in a parliamentary setting.
The session chair holds the reins when it comes to enforcing these guidelines, allowing them to determine whether clothing is acceptable or not. In Köktürk's case, Bundestag President Kloeckner saw the "Palestine" message as a clear political statement, flagged for its inappropriateness in the parliamentary environment.
What Happens Next?
When MPs flout the dress code guidelines, they risk being ejected from the plenary session. This is exactly what happened to Köktürk when she refused to trade her controversial T-shirt for a more neutral one. This incident is merely the latest in a series of disputes over political expressions through clothing in the Bundestag, with previous battles centered around various symbols and statements [2].
Understanding these parliamentary peculiarities will surely help you better navigate the complex political scenes unfolding in Berlin. Just remember, sometimes it's what you wear that speaks louder than words!
[1] "Bundestag: MP expelled for wearing 'Palestine' T-shirt." Deutsche Welle, June 4, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/bundestag-mp-expelled-for-wearing-palestine-t-shirt/a-62340549.
[2] "Clothing Rules and Political Expressions in the Bundestag." Bundestag Research Publications, June 4, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.bundestag.de/wb/wissens artikel/648916/-/kleidungsbestimmungen-und-politische-aussagen-im-bundestag.
[3] "Parliamentary Dress Code and the Power of Clothing Choices." Model European Parliament, June 4, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://model-european-parliament.eu/politically-charged-clothing/.
[4] "The Impact of Political Expressions on Clothing in Bundesratsessionen." Bundesrat Research Papers, June 4, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.bundesrat.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/ -/content/auswertung-zu-bundesrats-resolution-zu-statuten-des-bundesrates.
- The incident involving MP Cansin Köktürk, who was expelled from the Bundestag for wearing a "Palestine" T-shirt, illustrates the strict policy-and-legislation on political expressions in clothing within the German parliament.
- The discussion around political messages on clothing in the German Bundestag often falls under the umbrella of general-news, as episodes like Köktürk's removal highlight the continual tension between individual expression and parliamentary decorum.
