The President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner (CDU), has warned about the “potential threat” facing the Reichstag building from drones and announced upcoming changes to legal regulations regarding security. Klöckner stated to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” that she felt laughed at earlier this year when she suggested that the parliament needed greater protection. She remarked that the building, which features a dome representing Germany’s open democracy, is the country’s most symbolic structure. Currently, the parliament and government quarter is hampered by vaguely defined responsibilities, a problem they are actively addressing, emphasizing the need for clear reporting and action protocols.
Klöckner stressed that complacency is not an option. She announced the introduction of a new Bundestag police law, which is expected to be debated in its first reading before the winter recess. Currently, due to a lack of legal basis, her Bundestag police force cannot automatically receive alerts confirming whether a reported visitor is a registered high-risk individual. This issue will also be addressed by the new legislation.
Two million visitors enter and leave the Bundestag annually, and two hundred Bundestag police officers provide security. Klöckner noted that during routine checks, officers have discovered weapons such as tasers, batons, or knives concealed in pens. She has also revoked visitor passes multiple times for security violations. Given that some individuals have been identified who maintained close contact with persons affiliated with the Russian secret services, she argued that the parliament must be equipped to defend itself.
