Due to security concerns: Bundestag candidates no longer have to provide their home address

Anyone running for the Bundestag no longer has to disclose their private address. This is intended to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of violence or politically motivated stalking. In a regulation amending the Federal Election Regulations, which was brought to the attention of the parliamentary groups this week, it is stated that in future only the year of birth and the place of residence of the candidate must be given instead of the date of birth. If a candidate can prove to the district election officer that a block on information has been entered for him in the residents’ register, it is also possible to give an address where he can be reached instead of the place of residence. However, giving a PO box is still not sufficient for a candidacy.

The fact that candidates were previously required by the electoral regulations to disclose their private addresses was not only an unnecessary hurdle, but also posed a significant security risk for the applicants, says Green Party interior politician Misbah Khan. The latest changes to the federal electoral regulations are therefore a significant step forward, especially in view of the significant increase in right-wing extremist crimes.

However, more needs to be done to better protect local politicians, volunteers, freelance journalists and many more from attacks. An important step here is the planned amendment to the Federal Registration Act. The draft for this reform is due for first reading in the Bundestag plenary next week. Among other things, it provides for an extension of the information ban from two to four years. Such a ban can be applied for by anyone who has come into the focus of criminals or extremists through professional or voluntary work. In addition, the hurdles for a query in the residents’ register are to be increased.