DThe traffic light coalition wants to create a new legal framework for the activities of the Bundestag factions on social media. The factions of the SPD, FDP and Greens announced this to the German Press Agency on Thursday. “We want to create a legally secure basis for the parliamentary groups’ public relations work from within Parliament.” The Union was also involved in this.
The Federal Audit Office had previously called for clear legal regulations for the political groups' social media work. He criticized the fact that the Bundestag factions used federal funds “inappropriately and therefore contrary to the rules” when using social media. The current legal framework favors this. “For systemic reasons, it creates significant false incentives to promote one’s own politics, one’s own party and thus one’s re-election.” That is contrary to the rules.
The Court of Auditors examined all of the parliamentary groups' posts in the week before the 2021 federal election. The result: “For the most part, they did not provide information, or not only, about the activities of the parliamentary groups, or the posts contained party or election advertising and were therefore inadmissible.”
The federal government provides the parliamentary groups with cash and non-cash benefits currently amounting to 140 million euros per year from the federal budget as parliamentary group funds. Among other things, they also used this to finance appearances on social media.
Adjustments to the law on representatives planned
According to the communication from the traffic light groups, an adjustment to the law on representatives is planned. In the future, it should be made clearer that the parliamentary groups can report comprehensively on their work in the Bundestag, convey their political positions and enter into dialogue with citizens about parliamentary-political issues. This also includes communication via digital media. “It is clear that political groups are not allowed to do party work. A clear demarcation from inadmissible party advertising is particularly important near election campaigns.”
Green MP Irene Mihalic said: “In the future, the President of the Bundestag should be able to fully reclaim funds used inappropriately. Violations of the rules no longer remain without consequences. Six weeks before the federal election, public relations work is limited to parliamentary events. Especially in the hot election campaign phase, a clear demarcation from inadmissible party advertising must be ensured.”
Particularly in challenging times, parliamentary groups must inform citizens transparently and comprehensively about their work, said SPD MP Johannes Fechner. “But if the public resources intended for this purpose are misused, there must be a crystal-clear legal basis for their rapid repayment. We are therefore creating clear rules for more transparency and against misuse of tax funds.”
The FDP politician Stephan Thomae said that there must be a clear legal framework for modern public relations work in digital media. This must also ensure that the financial resources provided are only used appropriately.