21st Bundestag Convenes, Elects Julia Klöckner as President

Gregor Gysi's opening speech calls for respect and collaboration, while AfD motions and vice-presidential bid are rejected.

The 21st Bundestag held its inaugural session 30 days after the federal election, with heightened political polarization evident in its composition.
Julia Klöckner (CDU) was elected Bundestagspräsidentin with 382 votes, becoming the fourth woman to hold the position and emphasizing civility in parliamentary debates.
Gregor Gysi, serving as Alterspräsident, opened the session with a speech advocating for peace, mutual respect, and overparty collaboration, though it received mixed reactions.
An AfD motion to revert Alterspräsident selection rules to favor their oldest member, Alexander Gauland, was rejected by all other parties.
The Bundestag also rejected the AfD’s candidate for vice president, underscoring the continued resistance to the party's influence in the chamber.