The German Bundestag experienced disruption on Wednesday during a debate concerning the budget for the Federal Foreign Office. Four members of the left-wing parliamentary group (“Die Linke”) were removed from the plenary hall after displaying a Palestinian flag during the proceedings.
Bundestag Vice-President Josephine Ortleb (SPD) also initially ordered the removal of a photographer accredited with the news agency dts Nachrichtenagentur, who was documenting the incident from the press gallery. The agency subsequently lodged formal protests with the Bundestag administration and directly with Ms. Ortleb’s office, asserting the journalist’s legitimate accreditation and right to perform his duties.
Following the incident, Ms. Ortleb announced that parliamentarians Lisa Schubert, Cansin Köktürk, Vinzenz Glaser and Charlotte Neuhäuser had been excluded from the remainder of Wednesday’s session. The stated reason for their removal was a “serious violation of the dignity and order of this House”. The dts Nachrichtenagentur photographer was subsequently permitted to return to his workspace approximately thirty minutes after his initial expulsion.
