Freedom of expression clash in German Parliament after MP expelled for political T-shirt

During a Bundestag session on June 4, an MP for the far-left party, Cansin Köktürk was asked to leave the chamber after refusing to remove a T-shirt bearing the inscription “Palestine”.

Bundestag Speaker Julia Klöckner (CDU) addressed Kokturk directly, citing established parliamentary rules that prohibit deputies from wearing clothing displaying slogans or stickers, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

“We have established clear Bundestag rules that prohibit MPs from displaying stickers or any inscriptions on their T-shirts. I requested MP Frau Köktürk to change her attire, but since she declined, I must now ask her to leave the session,” Klöckner stated.

Following the Speaker’s request, Köktürk stood up and exited the plenary hall. In a show of solidarity, fellow far-left party members also left the chamber shortly thereafter.

The incident has sparked debate about freedom of expression within the German parliament and the limits imposed by parliamentary decorum.

Germany has been one of Israel’s strongest supporters as it tries to atone for the murder of more than six million Jewish people during the Holocaust.

However, conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz said last week: “I no longer understand what the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip, with what goal.”

He added that the impact on Gaza’s civilians “can no longer be justified by a fight against Hamas terrorism.”

By Vafa Guliyeva