Bundestag: Secret service control: debate about Reichinnek’s choice

Unlike colleagues from the Union faction, SPD interior expert Lars Castellucci pleads to choose the left faction leader Heidi Reichinnek in the parliamentary control committee (PKGR). “There are no reasons not to choose them – unlike the AfD candidates,” he told the Editorial Network Germany (RND). It is important that the Bundestag controls the security authorities. “You should include the democratic opposition factions.”

The Bundestag today chooses the members of the committee who is responsible for the control of the secret services. The committee, which meets under strict confidentiality in a negative -proof space, should consist of nine MPs in the future. There are two seats on the AfD, one on the left faction. This has nominated its chairwoman Reich Innek.

However, there is resistance in the Union. CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann told the “Spiegel”: “This highly sensitive body takes suitable staff instead of party-political provocation. Ms. Reichinnk’s nomination is the opposite.”

The candidates need an absolute majority in their election in the Bundestag. The left is therefore dependent on the Union votes. If neither Reichinnek nor the AfD candidates are elected, Green Group Vice Konstantin von Notz would be the only opposition representative in the committee in the future.

Linke linked election with consent to other votes

Reichinnek threatens consequences if the Union faction refuses to support her. “I expect the Union to stop with its facts and substance-free throwing and that the left faction enables the place in the PKGR to be due,” she told the RND. “If that doesn’t happen, you would have to think about further cooperation.”

The parliamentary group leader pointed out that the Union was dependent on the left in many places, for example in the election of constitutional judges or the reform of the debt brake.

FDP politician Kuhle fears weakening the control

The FDP interior politician Konstantin Kuhle warns of weakening the secret service control. In the “Stern” he referred to the consequences if not only the two AfD candidates were supposed to fail, but also Reichinnek.

“The control over the government and the majority of the opposition from the opposition is troubled to a single MP,” criticizes Kuhle, previously a member of the PKGR. “This is not the right way, especially in times of international crises.”

The PKGR monitors the secret services and gains access to sensitive information. The North Rhine-Westphalian CDU MP Marc Henrichmann will take over the chair. The previous chairman Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) was no longer nominated by his faction. The former SPD vice Ralf Stegner will no longer be there in the future.