The President of the German Bundestag, Julia Klöckner (CDU), is advocating for a substantial overhaul of electoral laws, citing commitments outlined in the current coalition agreement. In an interview with POLITICO, Klöckner highlighted the need to address what she described as a “representation gap” and a “lack of understanding of democracy.
A key point of concern for Klöckner is what she perceives as the diminishing value of the direct vote (Erststimme). Recent electoral reforms, she argues, have rendered the direct vote somewhat ineffective, leading to frustration amongst voters who feel their preferred candidate, having secured a significant portion of the vote within a constituency, is not subsequently elected to the Bundestag.
Beyond electoral reform, Klöckner also defended her stringent interpretation of parliamentary dress code regulations. While emphasizing that a formal “dress code” does not exist, she underlined the importance of maintaining decorum and a sense of unity within the parliamentary chamber. She suggested guidelines are necessary to ensure a baseline level of appropriateness in attire, citing the need to prevent situations where seemingly trivial choices could escalate into disruptive displays. As an illustrative example, she referenced the potential for varying headwear, ranging from a beret to a baseball cap to a military helmet and the need to avoid such scenarios.
Klöckner underscored the responsibility of parliamentarians and highlighted their role as models for broader societal norms. She argued that standards of conduct deemed acceptable elsewhere should also be reflected within the Bundestag, as members of parliament effectively shape the public perception of the nation’s standards and behavior.
