More aggressive climate
Pau about AfD: “Difficult to go through the Bundestag alone”
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After 26 years, Petra Pau leaves the Bundestag. The move-in of the AfD had changed the mood so much that the left-wing politician hardly moves alone through the parliament building. In an interview, she also reports on a serious accident in the paternoster.
According to the outgoing Vice President Petra Pau, the AfD has changed the climate in the Bundestag “absolutely”. “It was not the case that nobody had ever hit the strands before,” said the left-wing politician in an interview with the “Stern”. “But the AfD not only shifted the limits of what is said. It has also become difficult for me to go through the Bundestag alone.”
There are always aggression against them from the ranks of the AfD and above all through their visitor groups. “So I usually only go with the Bundestag to protect myself. Colleagues from other factions have already been physically pressed by AfD employees,” said Pau.
She described a process in January 2018 as the “key experience”. At that time, the AfD had applied for the first mutton jump of the legislature. “Because I was heading the session, Gauland and the AfD managing director Bernd Baumann accused me of delaying the coordination. They simply had no idea that they had to leave the hall for the mutton jump. This had to explain that for them. Afterwards they posted a video for the mutton jump, in which they made a massive mood against the parliament and especially against me, “said Pau.
Regular verbal attacks
“A week later I was on the street with my elderly parents when a passerby shot me up and shouted at us. Because of the video.” Since then she has been regularly attacked verbally. As a consequence, the Bundestag Presidium has developed a set of rules on how to deal with the AfD: “So that it cannot pretend that it is about individual people. It is always an attack on the Bundestag institution.”
Despite her experience, Pau is against an AfD ban. “The AfD came to the Bundestag with democratic means, but therefore there are no democrats. They fight democracy and institutions with all their might. But I don't get that into the heads of the people they choose with a ban. We have to Set up a long discussion to open our eyes to these people. ” The left-wing politician leaves the Bundestag and top politics after over 26 years.
Accident in the paternoster
Pau also spoke about a serious accident after she was dependent on the management of Bundestag debates on the wheelchair for a while. The misfortune passed during a group exam in February 2024 in a building with a paternoster in Berlin. “I just came with Gesine Lötzsch from a group photo, we talked and climbed the paternoster. A second was enough: While Ms. Lötzsch was completely in it, I was only in part of my left foot. But the paternoster drove on. I fell on off and broke the ankle.
Since it is voluntarily insured, “I was able to personally experience what distinguishes private health insurance patients,” said Pau. “As a legally insured person, I spent many hours in queues and waiting rooms from doctors.” To date, the joint is not completely okay. PAU is also still being treated because of her voice disease: “But I have developed strategies when it is particularly loud or I am under great pressure. I then apply a certain breathing technique and talk when it works.” She was “no longer afraid that the voice will remain completely”.
Pau had remained away during a committee meeting in May 2010. A spasmodic dysphonia (speech cramp) was diagnosed with her. After a voice therapy, she was able to lead meetings again with a headset with a microphone. The left-wing politician is leaving the Bundestag with the end of the legislature after more than 26 years.
