Gregor Gysi to Open Bundestag Session as Alterspräsident Under Revised Rules

The long-serving Die Linke politician will deliver an opening speech on March 25, 2025, amid debates about parliamentary traditions and his controversial legacy.

Gregor Gysi, 77, will serve as Alterspräsident for the inaugural session of the 21st German Bundestag, based on his 31 years of parliamentary tenure.
A 2017 rule change prioritizing parliamentary service over age for Alterspräsident selection excluded Alexander Gauland, the Bundestag's oldest member at 84.
Gysi's planned half-hour speech is expected to reference historical Alterspräsidenten such as Willy Brandt and Clara Zetkin.
The Die Linke politician has criticized prolonged parliamentary careers, warning of detachment from citizens and urging younger members to pursue other professions after eight years.
Gysi's selection has reignited discussions about the balance between tradition and reform in German parliamentary practices.