Twenty speeches and statements from 2021 to 2026 — as Bundestag President, Labour Minister and SPD co-chair. Every quotation links to the page where it is published; titles are given only where an official one exists.
11 Sep 2026
Labour MinisterIntroducing her ministry’s 2027 budget of around €201 billion, she rejected the charge that the government was cutting the welfare state.
„Im Gegenteil, wir wollen unser Land wieder besser machen. Dazu gehören gute Löhne, faire Arbeitsbedingungen und eine sichere Rente.““On the contrary, we want to make our country better again. That includes good wages, fair working conditions and a secure pension.”
23 Jun 2026
Labour MinisterReceiving the 33 recommendations of the Alterssicherungskommission, she backed implementing them as a single package.
„Wenn wir diese Reform machen, so, wie sie jetzt auch vorliegt, dann wird es für alle besser.““If we carry out this reform as it now stands, things will get better for everyone.”
7 May 2026
Labour MinisterShe presented the bill as progress — including a new right to reasonable accommodations from private providers — while conceding she would have wished for more.
„Das ist unwürdig in einem wirtschaftlich starken Land wie Deutschland.““That is unworthy of an economically strong country like Germany.”
6 May 2026
Labour MinisterAnswering a question from an AfD member on migration and social benefits, she made a categorical statement that drew wide criticism and later featured in an AfD motion for her dismissal.
„Es wandert niemand in unsere Sozialsysteme ein.““Nobody is immigrating into our social systems.”
19 Mar 2026
Labour MinisterShe focused on the gender pay gap and collective bargaining, paid tribute to Rita Süssmuth and called for parity in electoral law.
„Wo es Tarifverträge gibt, ist die Lohnlücke deutlich kleiner.““Where there are collective agreements, the pay gap is significantly smaller.”
27 Jan 2026
Labour MinisterReceiving 26 recommendations to merge and digitise social benefits, she promised a reform without benefit cuts and a welfare state that is simpler, fairer and more digital.
„Leistungen aus einer Hand““Benefits from a single source” (quoted phrase)
15 Jan 2026
Labour MinisterDefending the replacement of Bürgergeld, she argued the reform strengthens personal responsibility and participation while keeping the welfare state reliable. Quoted in indirect speech by the Bundestag.
„Gute Arbeitsbedingungen und ein verlässlicher Sozialstaat“ hätten „absolute Priorität“.“Good working conditions and a reliable welfare state” have “absolute priority”.
26 Sep 2025
Labour MinisterWith the Chancellor visibly backing her from the government bench, she defended stricter obligations for recipients of basic income support.
„Die, die nicht mitmachen, müssen das auch merken.““Those who don’t cooperate must also feel it.”
Aug 2025
Labour Minister · SPD co-chairResponding to the Chancellor’s remark that the welfare state was no longer affordable, she rejected the premise in blunt terms, apologising in advance for her language.
„Diese Debatte gerade, dass wir uns diese Sozialversicherungssysteme und diesen Sozialstaat finanziell nicht mehr leisten können, ist […] Bullshit.““This current debate, that we can no longer afford these social insurance systems and this welfare state, is […] bullshit.”
27 Jun 2025
Candidate for SPD co-chairShe put inequality at the centre of the party’s agenda and attacked the AfD’s political style.
„Unser Problem ist der wachsende Unterschied zwischen oben und unten und Arm und Reich. Da müssen wir ran!““Our problem is the growing gap between top and bottom, rich and poor. We have to tackle that!”
zdfheute.de (media report)
18 Mar 2025
Bundestag PresidentAmong her last words in office, she marked 35 years since the GDR’s first free election on 18 March 1990.
„Mit dem Aufbruch in die Demokratie waren 1990 viele Hoffnungen verbunden.““In 1990, many hopes were tied to the new start in democracy.”
11 Feb 2025
Bundestag PresidentBefore the early election she warned of the growing coarseness of political debate and urged citizens to vote.
„Es macht mir Sorgen, dass die Verrohung immer weiter zunimmt.““It worries me that the brutalisation keeps increasing.”
29 Jan 2025
Bundestag PresidentThe hour, with Federal President Steinmeier and survivor Roman Schwarzman, marked eighty years since the liberation of Auschwitz.
„Auschwitz, 27. Januar 1945, gegen 15 Uhr: Panzer der Roten Armee fahren zum Tor mit der Aufschrift ‚Arbeit macht frei‘.““Auschwitz, 27 January 1945, around 3 p.m.: Red Army tanks drive up to the gate bearing the inscription ‘Arbeit macht frei’.”
7 Sep 2024
Bundestag PresidentOn the exact 75th birthday of the Bundestag she welcomed citizens to their Parliament — Bürgernähe in practice.
„Denn: Es ist Ihr Parlament!““Because: it is your Parliament!”
31 Jan 2024
Bundestag PresidentRemembrance 79 years after the liberation of Auschwitz.
„Wir erinnern an jeden einzelnen Menschen, der von den Nationalsozialisten ausgegrenzt, entrechtet, beraubt, verfolgt, gedemütigt, gequält und ermordet wurde.““We remember every single person who was excluded, deprived of rights, robbed, persecuted, humiliated, tortured and murdered by the National Socialists.”
11 Oct 2023
Bundestag PresidentFour days after the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, she condemned the terror, affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence and pledged the Bundestag’s solidarity.
„Wir verurteilen die menschenverachtenden Terrorakte gegen Israel auf das Schärfste.““We condemn the inhuman acts of terror against Israel in the strongest terms.”
27 Jan 2023
Bundestag PresidentThe first remembrance hour dedicated to people persecuted for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
„Es kann keinen Schlussstrich geben!““There can be no drawing a line under it!”
27 Feb 2022
Bundestag PresidentThree days after Russia’s full-scale invasion, she opened the sitting at which the Chancellor gave his government statement, condemning the attack as a breach of international law.
„Dieser Überfall ist ein klarer Bruch des Völkerrechts und ein Angriff auf die Prinzipien der freiheitlichen Welt.““This invasion is a clear breach of international law and an attack on the principles of the free world.”
27 Jan 2022
Bundestag PresidentHer first remembrance hour as President, eighty years after the Wannsee Conference.
„Wir gedenken der Opfer der nationalsozialistischen Verbrechen.““We commemorate the victims of National Socialist crimes.”
26 Oct 2021
Bundestag PresidentTaking office as the third woman to lead the Bundestag, she called for mutual respect and a new closeness to citizens.
„Ich erwarte Respekt für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger – und Respekt von ihnen.““I expect respect for citizens – and respect from them.”
Editorial note. Not included: Ukrainian President Zelensky’s video address of 17 March 2022 — that sitting was opened by Vice-President Katrin Göring-Eckardt, not by Bas. Quotations were checked against the linked pages; where only a fragment is published, only the fragment is quoted.