The Bundestag passed a new ordinance on coronavirus regulations with 388 votes. In future, only basic protection will apply – for example, the obligation to wear a mask on public transport.
Bundestag passes new infection protection law
The Bundestag has passed a new law on protection against infections. 388 MPs voted in favor of the coalition’s bill, 277 were against and two abstained. Thus, at least 28 MPs of the coalition factions did not vote for the government bill. Under the new regulation, the states have only limited options to respond after the majority of restrictions expire on March 20.
The new law provides only a basic level of protection
The new law (PDF) stipulates that some basic level of protection can be ordered in the future, including the mandatory wearing of masks in hospitals, nursing homes and public transport. Further restrictions are only possible if the relevant parliament at the state (federal state) level deems the region to be a hotspot. As a transitional measure, the states can continue to apply the previous rules until April 2.
“Law creates confusion”
The CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag believes the new legislation is insufficient. “The law creates confusion,” said CDU health politician Tino Sorge. The hotspot provisions it provides for are too vaguely defined, “the federal states don’t know how to implement them,” – Sorge said. “It is chaos by default.” The coalition must “urgently clarify” the draft to create legal certainty. The draft is “badly drafted” – Sorge criticized.
The opposition parties Left and AfD also criticized the bill. “The coalition is pushing bills through parliament that are badly drafted,” – Left Party MP Susanne Ferschl said.
“We cannot continue to put the whole country under protection”
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said at the start of the debate that the amendments were a “difficult compromise” . He added that the legal situation must be taken into account. “We cannot continue to put the whole country under protection to protect a small group of people who do not want to be vaccinated,” he said.
Bundesrat does not have to approve new law
After the Bundestag votes, the Bundesrat meets in a special session. However, the law does not require approval – it is a so-called right of objection. A majority of 35 votes in the House of Länder would be needed for a possible motion to refer to the mediation committee. At the same time, there is time pressure to issue the supplementary regulation quickly, because otherwise there will no longer be a legal basis for the coronavirus measures as of Sunday.
At Thursday’s Conference of Ministry Chairmen, the states clearly criticized the federal government for the current coronavirus policy. All parties accused the federal government of acting irresponsibly alone. The project is “legally uncertain and practically unfeasible,” said Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), chairman of the North Rhine-Westphalia government.
source: www.zeit.de, www.insidegermany.co