Germany debates better security for parliament after coup plot

BERLIN

German politicians have called for better security measures for the parliament after a bizarre coup plot by right-wing extremists was foiled by a massive anti-terrorism operation.

Social Democrat lawmaker Sebastian Hartmann said authorities should carry out a complete review of the parliament’s (the Bundestag) security concept.

He said the involvement of a former lawmaker in the coup plot shows that the Bundestag should review the security clearances of employees, and those authorized to enter the building.

“I believe that this politician was hoping for assistance from her friends in the Bundestag to realize their coup plans,” he told local media.

Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former lawmaker of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), was among the suspects arrested on Wednesday over plans to storm the Bundestag and create nationwide chaos to overthrow the government by violence.

The Green Party also expressed concern over the role of a former far-right lawmaker in the coup plot and called for better security measures for the parliament.

Green Party lawmaker Konstantin von Notz said the current procedures do not provide sufficient protection.

"We must strengthen the protection concept for the Bundestag without undermining the everyday life of democratic lawmakers,” he told the RND media group.

Liberal FDP lawmaker Konstantin Kuhle said the Bundestag should now re-examine the entry requirements for the former lawmakers of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Germany’s foiled coup plot

The far-right group, which included far-right figures and ex-military officers, had procured weapons and developed concrete plans in recent months to create nationwide chaos and to storm the Bundestag by violence, according to the prosecutors.

Heinrich Reuss – a descendant of a noble family also known as Prince Heinrich XIII – was the leading figure in the group.

Former AfD lawmaker Malsack-Winkeman was a key figure and she was picked up as the justice minister of the coup regime, prosecutors said.

Ex-military officers, one active soldier from the Special Forces Command, two non-active soldiers, and several reservists were also arrested as part of the investigation.

Authorities said that as of Friday 23 of the suspects were in custody, with 22 accused of being members of the terror organization.

Most of the suspects were followers of the far-right Reichsburger (Reich Citizens) movement, who reject the legitimacy of the Federal Republic of Germany and believe that the country is governed by members of a so-called “deep state.”