Bundestag: Merz and Greens argue about violence in opposition to ladies | EUROtoday

During the federal government ballot within the Bundestag, the Greens accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz of massively neglecting the problem of violence in opposition to ladies on the Internet. “As a man, Mr. Chancellor, I am ashamed of how little empathy and clear determination you express in the face of blatant sexual violence,” Green MP Robin Wagener accused him of.

Merz calls assaults “dishonorable”

Merz known as the comment “disgraceful.” He had beforehand exchanged blows with Green MP Lena Gumnior. She had accused him of remaining silent on the topic for too lengthy.

Merz replied that not solely ladies had been discussing it, but additionally many males. “And I’m part of it,” emphasised the Chancellor. He countered the MPs by saying that the Union, as an opposition faction, had made potential a legislation defending in opposition to violence within the final legislative interval after the breakup of the visitors gentle authorities.

“I don’t know how long you have been a member of the German Bundestag,” he stated on this context to the 33-year-old, who has been in parliament since 2025, and was met with murmurs and heckling.

Green MPs accuse Chancellor of cowardice

Gumnior replied to the Chancellor: “Fortunately, our commitment to protecting women from violence does not depend on our presence or duration in Parliament.” It is a “scandalous situation” that hundreds of thousands of girls in Germany are victims of digitalized sexual violence.

In a later written assertion, Gumnior accused Merz of questioning her experience “because I am a young MP.” At the identical time, he places into perspective how ladies are affected. “This is not only cowardly, but extremely dangerous for those affected.”

Merz holds out the prospect of additional adjustments to the legislation

Merz held out the prospect of additional adjustments to the legislation. The CDU politician stated the draft legislation on storing IP addresses is already being voted on by departments. He assumes that it is going to be initiated by the cupboard in April. By storing the info, individuals who publish or ship banned content material ought to have the ability to be discovered and punished extra simply.

When requested by CSU MP Susanne Hierl whether or not the measures in opposition to violence in opposition to ladies had been ample total, Merz admitted: “Pretty definitely not.” He complained concerning the “exploding violence” – in each analogue and digital house.

When he listed the supposed causes for this improvement, he acquired applause within the plenary session, but additionally loud heckling when he stated: “Then we also have to address the fact that a considerable part of this violence comes from the groups of immigrants to the Federal Republic of Germany. That is also part of the completeness of the picture.”