Young women in particular experience being the target of attacks as members of the Bundestag. This is mainly due to a faction. Bundestag Vice-President Katrin Göring-Eckardt says that there was machoism and wide-spreading in Parliament even before the AfD. "Now there is hostility to democracy and contempt for the entire house."
ntv.de: How do you perceive the mood in the Bundestag?
Katrin Göring-Eckardt: Mostly respectful among the democratic parties, but right-wingers are all about provoking and attracting attention. Since the AfD has been in the German Bundestag, it has become more aggressive and misogynistic. AfD MPs often never miss an opportunity to provoke. It doesn't matter whether it's about their choice of words or the matter at hand. There used to be arguments about the matter, and sometimes rough ones, but it was an argument between democrats and not with people who actually reject our democracy.
Young women in parliament report that they are often the target of such attacks - do you see it that way as the Vice President of the Bundestag?
Female parliamentarians in particular are exposed to ugly attacks, which also affects our young female colleagues. It all starts with the noise level. When a young woman steps up to the podium, there are often yells from the outside right or the table being knocked on. Their goal is clear: the colleagues should be unsettled. They must not succeed. In the case of particularly bad attacks, all democratic factions stand together. It's good.
It has always been the case that women have fought for equal treatment in the Bundestag. What is the difference to the current mood?
Of course there was machoism and wide-leggedness before the AfD in the plenum. Now there is hostility to democracy and contempt for the entire house. I perceive that the intelligent debate, which is what constitutes a democracy, should be made impossible. Some voices, especially young voices, that have something to say should be drowned out with clumsy shrillness. So that in the end more is reported about the rush during a debate than about the content of the debate.
How can you make it easier for young women and ensure that they are taken more seriously?
I don't think it's about making it "easier" for young women; they are tough enough to take their place and hold on. It's great to see them standing there and throwing up the right. It is important that we have rules of the game in the plenary session that are also observed by everyone; and if not, that it is acted upon consistently. For the plenary session in the Bundestag, this means that whoever chairs the meeting in the Presidium - including me - ensures that everyone can speak without being constantly disturbed. Anyone who crosses the border will receive a call to order. That is the least.
Nina Lammers spoke to Katrin Göring-Eckardt
