After the major raid in the “Reichsbürger” milieu, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas expects security measures in Parliament to become stricter. “I don’t want to go into detail now, but I assume that we will tighten the house rules and the rules of access and behavior again,” said the SPD politician to the German Press Agency in Berlin.
At the same time, she emphasized that the security of the MPs and the employees was given. “Nobody has to worry here. The security of the house was guaranteed at all times. That’s important to me.”
A few days ago, the security authorities arrested 25 suspected “Reich citizens” in a raid. 22 of them are accused of being members of a terrorist organization that wanted to overthrow the political system. Former AfD member of parliament Birgit Malsack-Winkemann was also arrested. According to the federal prosecutor, members of the right-wing network had planned to force a small armed group into the Bundestag. “Reich citizens” are people who do not recognize the Federal Republic and its democratic structures.
Bas said talks are currently underway with the security officers of the factions. These had discussed various measures, which should be decided at the beginning of the coming year.
Security lock now also for ex-MPs
“It is almost impossible to get into the properties of the Bundestag with weapons,” Bas emphasized at the same time. “We already tightened the measures after the incidents on the stairs of the Reichstag building in August 2020. Since then, they have been continuously adjusted.” For example, there is now more police presence in the corridors of the house. Former MPs who have a so-called former ID card now have to go through the security checkpoint like other guests to enter the Bundestag building. “We have also tightened the rules for MPs’ guests. They also have to be registered and checked. And they too have to go through the security checkpoint.”
The President of the Bundestag refuses to completely exclude guests. “My message is: The German Bundestag must remain an open house. It is important to me that visitors can continue to experience the Bundestag as the heart of our open democracy. That is why people are still very welcome.” The direct exchange between the MPs and the local citizens is “a great asset”.
Bas “worried and frightened”
What went through Bas’ mind when she first heard about the coup plans? “On the one hand, I was concerned and shocked at how concrete the plans might have been. That’s why the group shouldn’t be downplayed. We have to take the enemies of our democracy seriously.” On the other hand, she was relieved because the Attorney General and the Federal Criminal Police Office had uncovered the group in good time. “I said to myself: We have a well-fortified democracy and attentive security authorities.”
The SPD politician criticizes the fact that the AfD downplays the coup plans as a “walker putsch”. “I think there is a danger here that we have to take very seriously. How far the group would have been able to carry out their plan is another question. But I don’t want to belittle that.” Bas pointed out that many MPs experienced threats and hostilities after speeches in plenary. “Personally, I am also regularly affected by it. It has already increased.”
Bas can imagine that the gap between the AfD and the other factions will now widen again. “The question is whether there are actually connections between the “Reichsbürger” scene and the AfD parliamentary group.” She assumes that the authorities are currently investigating this. “But for the culture of debate in the plenary hall, I call on all factions to show moderation and respect.”
