The Seat of Power: A Room with a View, or a Room with a Grudge?

A heated dispute over meeting room allocation in the Bundestag has reached a boiling point, pitting the Social Democratic Party (SPD) against the Option for Germany (AfD). The SPD will retain its larger faction room, while the AfD has been relegated to the smaller, former Free Democratic Party (FDP) meeting space. This decision, reached after a vote in the Council of Elders, marks the culmination of months of contention.

The Otto Wels Legacy: A Room Steeped in History

for the SPD, the contested room, officially designated “3-S-001,” is more than just a meeting space. it’s a symbol of their heritage, christened the “Otto Wels Saal” in honor of Otto wels (1873-1939), a prominent SPD member who delivered a powerful speech against the Enabling Act in 1933.

Dirk Wiese, the SPD parliamentary manager, defended the decision, stating:

We will as a governing group have many participants from the ministries and the state representations in the parliamentary sessions, thus we need sufficient space. But of course, the Otto Wels Hall also has a past importance for us. And not only for us: the descendants of Otto Wels have publicly appealed to us not to give up this room to the AfD. We also feel committed to them.
Dirk Wiese, SPD Parliamentary Manager

Wiese emphasized the need for ample space due to the expected presence of numerous participants from ministries and state representations during SPD faction meetings.He also highlighted the historical significance of the Otto Wels Saal and the appeals from Wels’s descendants.

AfD’s Space Crunch: Cramped Quarters and safety Concerns

The AfD, now a considerable presence in the Bundestag with 151 members, is protesting the allocation of the former FDP faction room. The party argues that the space is inadequate,providing only 1.7 square meters per member.

Bernd Baumann, the AfD parliamentary manager, voiced strong objections:

This is another foul by the government against the AfD.
Bernd Baumann, AfD Parliamentary Manager

Baumann further asserted:

That we will not simply except this obstruction of our parliamentary work is beyond question.
Bernd Baumann, AfD parliamentary Manager

The AfD’s legal department has prepared an assessment, claiming the assigned room violates occupational health and safety guidelines. the assessment highlights several concerns:

• Insufficient space for the number of regular attendees.
• Inadequate distance (28 cm) between the podium and the first row of seats, posing safety risks.
• Substantial fire safety deficiencies, notably in escape route design.

The AfD concludes that orderly work in the sense of a parliamentary group meeting for regularly over 170 people (MPs, guests and staff) is not possible in the meeting room.

Bundestag Administration Responds

In response to the AfD’s claims, a spokesperson for the Bundestag administration stated:

The current seating plan has been checked and approved by a fire safety expert.
Bundestag Administration Spokesperson