Hour of remembrance in the Bundestag: AfD fails with an application against 2G-Plus

The 2G Plus rule applies in the Bundestag – also in the Holocaust memorial hour planned for Thursday. On the other hand, the AfD went before the Federal Constitutional Court – and suffered a defeat.

Since January 12, the Bundestag has had: 2G-Plus. This means that in the plenary session, in the committees and at events, only those who have been vaccinated and who have recovered are admitted, who also – hence the “plus” – have to show evidence of a rapid test or a booster vaccination.

On the other hand, the AfD went before the Federal Constitutional Court. The court has now published a first decision on this. However, not yet to the general rule, but only to whether this 2G Plus rule may also apply to the commemoration hour for the victims of National Socialism.

Because at this event on the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, unvaccinated MPs are not even allowed on the stands – which otherwise offer an alternative. The guests of honor will be sitting there this time, and that is why the President of the Bundestag announced that the stands are also closed to unvaccinated MPs.

MEPs only listen at memorial services

The Constitutional Court has now dismissed all complaints in connection with this ceremony: commemoration hours would differ significantly from other parliamentary work. Normally MPs would just listen. In addition, the larger part of the AfD faction that is vaccinated can take part.

And another argument from the court: The hygiene concept for the memorial hour has been known since mid-December. The AfD did not initially object to this. This shows that she herself did not see the rules as a serious interference.