Access rules have been tightened in the Reichstag building in Berlin. From now on, members of the Bundestag must always show their ID cards. The background is possible actions by “Reich citizens” and climate activists.
Several new rules are intended to ensure more security in the Reichstag building, including the Bundestag and the associated office buildings. Members of Parliament now have to show their ID cards at the entrance. Holders of Bundestag building passes can also be randomly checked at the entrances without a reason.
Former Members of Parliament will only receive ID cards for a limited period of time, i.e. for the current election period and after a background check has been carried out. Vehicles entering the Bundestag’s underground supply system are now being checked more intensively.
Protection against “Reich citizens” and climate activists
The background to the intensification are the investigations by the Federal Public Prosecutor General into the formation of a terrorist organization in the “Reichsbürger” milieu. Parliament pointed out that former AfD member of parliament Birgit Malsack-Winkemann was said to have been a member of the group, according to investigators.
In December last year, plans became known in the course of a raid within a right-wing network, according to which an armed group had intended to use force to invade the Bundestag.
Another reason is the fear of interference from climate protection activists of the “last generation”. This spring, members of the group daubed the Basic Law monument outside the Bundestag twice.
With information from Dietrich Karl Mäurer, ARD capital studio