Curious BSW appearance: Dierks urges compliance with the rules

Following the appearance of a BSW member of parliament in motorcycle gear at a state parliament session, state parliament president Alexander Dierks (CDU) has called for parliamentary order to be observed. In a letter to all members of parliament, Dierks made some clarifications, confirmed a spokesperson for the state parliament. "Bild" had previously reported.

Consequent crackdown announced

In the letter to the MPs, which is available to dpa, Dierks explicitly points out three points:

• Holding up posters, banners or other objects and wearing items of clothing and badges with political messages is prohibited. This also applies to stickers on laptops or tablets, for example.
• Disguises of any kind are prohibited. Parliament should not be misused as a stage for showmanship.
• The orders of the incumbent president must be obeyed. Criticism of the conduct of office is inadmissible in the session.

Dierks wrote that he and the Vice Presidents were in agreement on this. He announced consistent action. Depending on the severity of the offense, not only calls to order, but also exclusion from the sessions of the state parliament could be considered.

BSW member of parliament wants to take the lectern in a motorcycle suit

The reason for this is an incident at the state parliament session on October 29. In the evening hours, state parliament vice president Albrecht Pallas (SPD), who chaired the session, called for the BSW motion with the sonorous title "Rrrräng-gedäng-gedäng!" to apply for the fan culture at the Sachsenring as an intangible cultural heritage as an item on the agenda.

The BSW delegate Nico Rudolph wanted to give his speech in a motorcycle leather combination to match the theme. However, Vice-President Pallas (SPD) held him back with a reference to the "dignity of the House and the rules we have set ourselves here". An exchange of blows ensued. "That's ridiculous!" commented Finance Minister Christian Piwarz (CDU).

Session interrupted

After some back and forth, the session was interrupted twice - first for Rudolph to change outfits and then for deliberations by the State Parliament Presidium. When the session resumed around three quarters of an hour later, Dierks, who had taken over the chairmanship of the session in the meantime, made it clear: "It has always been customary in parliament that holding up objects, wearing slogans or pictures on the body that reinforce a message or even dressing up are prohibited."

Rudolphs was called to order for commenting on the chairmanship of the session before he began his actual speech. Parliament ultimately rejected the motion. The session ended at 11.40 p.m. after further items on the agenda.