Debate about compulsory vaccination: This is how the MPs position themselves

Austria introduces them on February 4th, and now Germany wants to follow suit. For months there has been a debate in this country about compulsory vaccination. The topic was still taboo under the grand coalition. But the new government doesn’t know what else to do. The obligation is intended to increase the vaccination rate again and protect the health system from overload. Politicians from all parties have recently spoken out in favor of compulsory vaccination – and thus moved away from previous promises not to enforce this measure. The only exception: the AfD.

Concrete drafts of how compulsory vaccination could look are already on the table. So far, however, nobody has dared to take the first step in implementation. One reason might be the declining vaccination protection. Omikron has also changed the situation. Studies show that the effectiveness against the new virus variant is limited. Even experts are now reluctant to comment and the federal government, which initiated the issue in the first place, is now leaving the decision to parliament.

How likely is it that vaccination will actually come about? There is already a first picture of the mood – and that is cautious.

A quarter for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18

Die Welt asked all 736 parliamentarians about their positions after last week’s orientation debate. 80 percent of respondents responded to the survey. You could choose from four possible answers:

The result: So far, none of the proposals submitted for the implementation of compulsory vaccination has been approved by a majority. Almost 25 percent of all members of the Bundestag are in favor of compulsory vaccination from the age of 18. 21 percent are in favor of age-related vaccination. The proportion of those who are still undecided according to the survey is just as large. The minority (18 percent) is completely against compulsory vaccination. There is disagreement in particular within the traffic light groups. While the majority of the Greens and SPD are in favor of compulsory vaccination, the Liberals tend to be against it. According to the “Welt” report, however, whether the vaccination requirement will be enforced depends crucially on the Union.

As the “Welt” continues to report, there are three camps among the respondents: Some of the MPs are still waiting for specific applications. In the second group are MPs who, while in favor of compulsory vaccination, have not yet decided whether it should apply to 18 or be age-specific. The last group includes all MEPs who have not yet decided whether they can even imagine compulsory vaccination.

mood in the factions

Most opponents of compulsory vaccination come from the AfD. There, 85 percent of the parliamentary group spoke out against it, the rest either did not want to comment or did not report back, according to “Welt”. Similarly critical, albeit with less resentment, the obligation to vaccinate is seen in the FDP. Almost 45 percent spoke out against it. Third place among the opponents of compulsory vaccination is taken by the left. There, eleven percent spoke out against the measure.

In the SPD, the measure is supported by a majority, with compulsory vaccination from the age of 18 being clearly advocated. According to the survey, 55 percent of the parliamentary group members spoke out in favor of this. No one voted against compulsory vaccination. It is similar with the Greens: Here almost 42 percent voted for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18, there was only one dissenting vote. In the FDP, a majority of age-related vaccinations are in favor – however, only just under ten percent support this proposal.

The fact that the overall situation cannot yet be clearly assessed is probably primarily due to the Union. It is the second largest parliamentary group after the SPD. However, according to the survey, a quarter of the parliamentary group members have not yet made a decision, while the other quarter have not commented. After all, five percent were in favor of compulsory vaccination from the age of 18. According to the report, the low response rate is due to the identification process within the group. According to information from “Welt”, the Union wanted to present its own draft at the time of the request. A vaccination requirement is being considered, which only applies in certain cases, for example if a particularly dangerous virus variant occurs, and provides for a staggered age limit.