"The Left's Unyielding Stance on Democracy" - Reichinnek Stands Firm on Intelligence Panel Seat
Reichinnek persists in holding his position on the Intelligence Committee.
Heidi Reichinnek, the head honcho of The Left, was given the cold shoulder by the Union when it came to securing a spot in the Parliamentary Control Panel. Reichinnek hasn't closed the door on future attempts and has laid down some ground rules for any future collaborations with the CDU and CSU.
During a tete-a-tete with Deutschlandfunk, Reichinnek made it clear that The Left intends to fill its designated slot in the Committee, and the decision on who will step up is pending. "Don't be surprised if it's me," she cheekily remarked.
Thursday saw Reichinnek failing to secure the necessary clout in the election of panel members. Even the AfD candidates fell short. With only Konstantin von Notz of the Greens as the lone opposition representative, the intelligence committee of the Bundestag is skewed heavily to the majority.
Reichinnek been known to call a spade a spade, and she didn't mince words when it came to the Union's explanation for her failure. She sees this outcome as an attack on democracy. "Here we go again, they've taken aim at democracy. That's the real issue," she told ARD, addressing the CDU/CSU directly. "We won't let other factions call the shots on who represents us on these committees."
The Union Needs to Reach Out to The Left
For future collaborations on other hot-button issues, the Union needs to extend the olive branch to The Left. "We're not just a voting block," Reichinnek made clear. "Union members looking for our support need to engage with us." The Left's votes may be needed for two-thirds majorities, such as in the election of constitutional judges.
The Parliamentary Control Panel keeps a close watch on the intelligence services, has access to sensitive information, and meets behind closed doors in a soundproof room. Members are chosen by their respective parliamentary groups but must also win approval from the Bundestag.
The new head honcho of the panel, Marc Henrichmann from the CDU, views strengthening Germany's resilience as top priority. "We need effective intelligence services in these trying times," he told the German Press Agency. "They need to adapt to our changing times and become more autonomous from foreign entities."
Source: ntv.de, mdi/dpa
- The Left
- Intelligence Services
- German Bundestag
- Union Parliamentary Group
Sneak Peek:
- Reichinnek demands a change in the CDU/CSU’s approach towards The Left Party, implying a break in collaboration unless they recognize the legitimacy of The Left in parliamentary oversight.
- Reichinnek views her non-election to the intelligence oversight committee as a broader political and democratic affront, threatening the principles of parliamentary democracy in Germany.
- The exclusion of opposition parties from parliamentary control committees, such as The Left, undermines democratic norms, transparency, and checks on government power.
All parties involved, particularly the Union, must reconsider their stance and reach out to The Left for future collaborations, as indicated by Heidi Reichinnek, the leader of The Left Party. Reichinnek emphasized that The Left is not merely a voting block but a crucial participant in policy-and-legislation, including the election of constitutional judges. To move forward, it's essential to engage with The Left and respect their role in the democratic process, ensuring fair representation on committees such as the Parliamentary Control Panel, which plays a vital role in overseeing the intelligence services and enforcing policy through vocational training.
