Record Number of Disciplinary Warnings in Bundestag: One Party Stand Out

The German Bundestag has witnessed an unprecedented rise in disciplinary warnings against its members, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leading the way. In the latest legislative period, a staggering total of 135 warnings were issued, highlighting a troubling trend in parliamentary decorum.

During a recent session, the AfD member Stephan Brandner interrupted CDU chairman Friedrich Merz with derogatory remarks, earning his 20th warning. This incident underscores the growing tensions within the Bundestag, as Brandner now holds the record for the most disciplinary warnings among his peers.

Overall, the AfD has accumulated a total of 98 warnings, significantly more than any other faction. Notably, Brandner's party colleague, Beatrix von Storch, closely trails behind with 19 warnings. This data comes from an analysis provided by the Bundestag administration.

In comparison, other political factions received far fewer warnings: independent members collectively received 13, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) faced 11, the Greens received 7, the Left Party gathered 6, the Union parties were given 4, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) had 2 warnings. The newly formed parliamentary group, BSW, made a dramatic exit from the Bundestag amidst a protest that resulted in 8 warnings for its members.

The frequency of these warnings has surged since the AfD entered the Bundestag. From 2005 to 2017, there were only four warnings in total over 12 years. However, during the first term featuring AfD representatives from 2017 to 2021, 49 warnings were recorded, which escalated to 135 in the following period.

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas has expressed concerns over the increasing normalization of such disciplinary actions, suggesting that some members appear to treat them as badges of honor. Reports indicate a rivalry between Brandner and von Storch for the title of the most disruptive member, although von Storch disputes this notion, claiming she is not keeping track of the statistics.

Historical context reveals that former Bundestag member Herbert Wehner holds the record for the most warnings, having received 77 over his 34-year tenure. With the current trend, Brandner and von Storch could potentially surpass this record if their behaviors continue unabated.

In response to the ongoing issue, Bernd Baumann, the AfD's parliamentary leader, has labeled the warnings as biased, arguing for a more equitable distribution of disciplinary actions across all parties. He emphasized that all Bundestag members are democratically elected and should be free to express their views without fear of disproportionate reprimands.

In light of these developments, there are calls for reforming the parliamentary rules to impose stricter penalties on members who repeatedly disrupt sessions. Politicians from various parties have indicated their openness to revising these regulations to maintain the integrity of parliamentary proceedings.