An investigative committee of the Saxon state parliament will look into possible grievances in politics and administration as well as possible misconduct by politicians during the corona pandemic in Saxony. A proposal from the AfD parliamentary group received sufficient approval in a special session of parliament – with the consent of the AfD parliamentary group and parts of the BSW parliamentary group.
BSW had also requested a committee of inquiry on the same topic. Because the parliamentary group only has 15 representatives, it was unable to set up such a committee on its own; all other groups voted against.
AfD: Check culpable behavior
Saxony’s AfD state leader Jörg Urban said in the debate that there are still doubts about the legality of many corona protection measures. Among other things, he mentioned school closings, the 2-G rule in retail and the 15 kilometer exit radius. It’s not just about lessons for the future, says Urban. “It must be examined whether there was culpable behavior on the part of the state government.”
BSW criticizes AfD
Saxony’s BSW boss Sabine Zimmermann emphasized that society needed to be reconciled. At the same time, she criticized the actions of the AfD. “The party had four years to react. Only when the BSW made a committee of inquiry into the corona pandemic an election issue did the AfD come around the corner with its own proposal.”
The CDU and SPD want a forum instead of a tribunal
The CDU and SPD, with whom the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance is currently exploring a possible government coalition, want to take a different approach to dealing with the corona pandemic. They submitted an application for a study commission, which the state parliament will later discuss.
“A commission of inquiry has the idea of a forum, a committee of inquiry has the idea of a tribunal,” said the parliamentary managing director of the CDU parliamentary group, Sören Voigt. A study commission could involve scientists and citizens, work on other topics that arise and make their work public. A committee of inquiry, on the other hand, only consists of members of the state parliament, has a clearly defined mandate and largely does not work publicly.
The parliamentary managing director of the SPD parliamentary group, Laura Stellbrink, pointed out that such investigative committees were set up in other federal states without any results.
Greens for study commission to talk about mistakes
The Greens also spoke out in favor of a study commission. It is important to talk about mistakes and bad decisions. But it is much more important to draw the right conclusions for the future, said the Green Party’s legal policy spokesman, Valentin Lippmann. “In such a situation, an investigative committee is as suitable as a folding spade or hammer and sickle for a morning shave.”
The left has constitutional concerns
Die The Left expressed constitutional doubts about both applications. The AfD lacks clarity of content; In addition, findings that the investigative committee actually has to make have already been anticipated, said MP Rico Gebhardt. In his opinion, the BSW’s application lacks any connection to Saxony. The Left wanted to refer the AfD’s request for a committee of inquiry to the main committee of the state parliament for review. However, this was rejected.
