Two months after this year’s German parliamentary elections, Berlin is yet to form the new government.
Meanwhile, some political parties have apparently realized that the formal lack of government does not prevent the Bundestag from discussing new laws, and now seek to make use of this unique opportunity.
Also, the lack of coalition agreements now allows German parties to jointly introduce new laws instead of submitting competing proposals.
"Things are different now because currently there’s no coalition agreement. Therefore we can submit a proposal together with the Greens and the Social Democrats. Even some CSU MPs could support our proposals. And other parties in the Bundestag also have the same situation," Ernst said.
And it appears that Die Linke is not the only political force in Germany seeking to discuss new laws as the Greens introduced a proposal to ban the use of coal as an energy source while the Social Democratic Party submitted a new draft law on immigration.
"Therefore we say: even if there is no government, the Bundestag has been elected… The Bundestag makes the laws, not the federal government; and even if the latter does not exist, the Bundestag could still legislate," Ernst surmised.
