Overview

• Cornelia Seibeld, President of Berlin’s Parliament, has criticized the increasingly hostile tone in debates, citing a long-term trend of rising aggression since 2011.
• In 2024, the Berlin House of Representatives issued six disciplinary calls and seven censures, a sharp rise compared to one call per year in 2022 and 2023.
• Seibeld emphasizes the need for consistent enforcement of rules to curb insults, legally relevant statements, and personal discreditation during parliamentary sessions.
• She warns that a resilient democracy must safeguard parliamentary institutions from extremist influences but has not yet provided concrete reform proposals.
• Seibeld’s discretionary powers allow her to issue warnings and sanctions, aiming to ensure orderly debates and uphold the dignity of the parliament.