A German parliamentarian, Hanna Steinmüller of the Green Party, delivered a speech in the Bundestag (German parliament) on Tuesday while carrying her infant child in a baby carrier. The unprecedented moment occurred during a budget debate concerning the housing ministry’s allocation, where Steinmüller advocated for increased accessibility and affordable housing initiatives.
The child, reportedly only a few months old, appeared to sleep soundly against her chest throughout the address. While it is not uncommon for Steinmüller to bring her baby to parliamentary sessions, this marks what is believed to be the first time a member of the Bundestag has addressed the chamber from the speaker’s podium with a baby present. Documentation of a similar occurrence has not been publicly available.
Previously, infants were only permitted in the parliamentary hall with special dispensation. However, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), recently announced a relaxation of these regulations. The incident is expected to fuel discussions surrounding inclusivity and flexibility within the parliamentary process.
