The CSU, Greens, Free Voters and SPD factions want to strengthen the culture of debate in the Bavarian state parliament by changing the law on representatives. The planned change is necessary because “communication standards have suffered enormous damage since the AfD entered the state parliament in the last legislative period,” the four parliamentary groups announced together on Wednesday.
The central point in the new version is the planned tightening of possible regulatory measures. The draft will go into the second and third reading on Thursday, April 25th and is expected to be passed.
According to the draft law, the planned tightening of the regulatory measures affects disruptions during plenary sessions as well as outside the state parliament’s sessions. In cases of significant or repeated violations of order or the dignity of the state parliament, a fine of up to 2,000 euros should be imposed, it said. In the event of a repeat offense, this fine can be increased to up to 4,000 euros. In addition, in the event of a more than minor violation of the house rules, the President of the State Parliament can also impose such a fine.
The parliamentary managing director of the state parliament Greens, Jürgen Mistol, explained the need for the change in the law from the perspective of the four state parliamentary groups: “The AfD insults and insults, incites and makes contempt for democratic institutions.” All of this has “the AfD method”. She deliberately provokes in order to generate attention: “She can even be celebrated for reprimands in the state parliament.”
His CSU colleague Michael Hofmann said: “If you behave properly, you don’t have to worry about a fine.” The fact that the AfD sees itself “particularly under attack” by the planned change gives deep insight.