Left-wing German MP Clara Bünger is urging for greater involvement from the opposition ahead of the vote for members of the Parliamentary Control Body (PKGr) scheduled for Thursday. According to Bünger, the mere presence of a critical opposition is necessary for any effective governmental control over intelligence services.
Addressing the “Rheinische Post”, she stated that the government must be subject to proper oversight, especially when these services operate in secret. Bünger criticized the current state of affairs, noting that while the mandates of intelligence agencies are constantly being expanded, the governing coalition has managed to create a PKGr where ruling party members largely remain amongst themselves. “The government is controlling itself. This is unsustainable in a democracy” she warned.
Bünger’s campaign aims to ensure that the democratic opposition can fulfill its constitutional role. She highlighted that the PKGr consists of nine members, and currently, two seats-those designated for the AfD and the Linke party-are vacant. Understanding that the body operates under strict secrecy, Bünger stated her intention to make a fresh push for election to the body this Thursday, despite having failed a previous voting attempt just months earlier.
