Historical archive · 2021–2025

Presidency archive

A record of Bärbel Bas’s term as President of the German Bundestag, from her election on 26 October 2021 to the constitution of the new Bundestag on 25 March 2025. This is a historical role; she has not held the office since March 2025.

Twelve entries

26.10.21ElectionElected with 576 of 724 votes (90 no, 58 abstentions) at the constituent sitting of the 20th Bundestag; succeeds Wolfgang Schäuble.

26.10.21Inaugural speechCalls for “a new closeness to citizens” and mutual respect; notes she is only the third woman in the office. Speech archive

27.01.22First remembrance hourOpens the commemoration for the victims of National Socialism with survivor Inge Auerbacher.

27.02.22Special sitting on UkraineOpens the Sunday special session three days after Russia’s full-scale invasion, at which the Chancellor delivers his “Zeitenwende” statement.

27.01.23Remembrance of queer victimsThe first remembrance hour dedicated to people persecuted for their sexual orientation or gender identity.

11.10.23Solidarity with IsraelIntroductory words condemning the Hamas terror attack of 7 October 2023.

31.01.24Remembrance hour79 years after the liberation of Auschwitz.

07.09.2475 years of the BundestagOpens the open day on the exact anniversary of the first sitting of 1949: “Es ist Ihr Parlament!” — citizen proximity in practice.

16.12.24Vote of confidenceThe Chancellor loses the vote of confidence; the Federal President dissolves the Bundestag on 27 December.

29.01.2580 years after AuschwitzRemembrance hour with Federal President Steinmeier and survivor Roman Schwarzman.

11.02.25Final session speechAt the last regular sitting she warns of growing coarseness in political debate and appeals to citizens to vote.

25.03.25End of presidencyConstituent sitting of the 21st Bundestag; Julia Klöckner elected President. Bas remains a member for Duisburg I.

Bärbel Bas in the President’s chair in a pink-red jacket, seated behind microphones — ChairIn the President’s chair during a plenary sitting.

Bärbel Bas laughing at the presiding desk between two colleagues; a brass bell stands on the desk — BellThe President’s bell — used to call the house to order — on the presiding desk.

§Themes

Four threads through the term

Parliamentary sessions

Chairing a polarised house

With 736 members and six parliamentary groups at the start of the term, the 20th Bundestag was the largest in German history. Maintaining order in heated debates was a visible part of the presiding officers’ work.

Citizen engagement

“Es ist Ihr Parlament”

Open days, visitor programmes and civic education gave substance to the Bürgernähe she promised in her inaugural speech. Citizen proximity

Remembrance

Annual commemorations

Each January the President opens the Bundestag’s hour of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism — four times during her term, including the eightieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Crisis periods

War, energy, terror, early election

Russia’s war against Ukraine, the energy crisis, the Hamas attack on Israel and the collapse of the governing coalition shaped the agenda of the house.

Bärbel Bas standing at the President’s desk and speaking, in a red jacket — AddressAddressing the house from the President’s desk.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bärbel Bas shaking hands at Bellevue Palace — BellevueWith Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace.

International representation. The President represents the Bundestag abroad and receives foreign delegations. Individual visits are not listed here because none could be verified to the standard of this archive. Speeches of the Presidents on bundestag.de

Sources

German Bundestag, constituent sitting, 26 Oct 2021. bundestag.de
German Bundestag, speeches of the President, 2021–2025. bundestag.de
German Bundestag, “Bärbel Bas” retrospective. bundestag.de