Newly elected German Bundestag convenes for first sitting / Article

Today, 6:24

Updated today, 7:17 p.m.

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After the September elections, the largest faction is the Social Democrats, who outnumbered the Conservatives represented by long-standing Chancellor Angela Merkel by a small majority.

Social Democrat Berbel Basa has been elected Speaker of the Bundestag, replacing Wolfgang Sheib, a Christian Democrat. Bass is the third woman elected to this position.

Bass’s election as parliamentary speaker is also linked to efforts to ensure that at least one of Germany’s top three positions is held by a woman.

The position of President of the Parliament is traditionally held by a candidate of the largest party represented in the Parliament. The new parliament has the most seats Social Democrats – 206 seats.

One third of the new parliament is made up of women. For the first time in the Bundestag, a black woman was born – Eritrea-born Aveta Tesfaiesusa, who represents the Greens.

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