Overview

• In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Bundestagspräsidentin Julia Klöckner said free speech does not only cover one's own views and warned against labeling centrists as threats to democracy.
• She denied drawing a direct comparison between the taz and the portal Nius, saying she criticized harmful bloc formations in the media landscape.
• Klöckner described a strict but fair line in the chamber, noting most formal reprimands have gone to the AfD and reiterating rules against political messaging through clothing or displays.
• A Forsa survey reported by Tagesspiegel found 45 percent of respondents view her as partisan, including one quarter of CDU supporters.
• Ongoing criticism has centered on her appearance at a CDU event hosted by Nius financier Frank Gotthardt and on her refusal to fly the rainbow flag, while Robert Habeck labeled her a miscast for the office.