Covid rules in the German parliament

Discussing a de facto vaccine mandate in the heart of German democracy - and the lack of a public debate over this drastic measure.

My history teacher at school, a former commander in the British air force, liked to reprimand my class with the words: “Get out of your perambulator!” This exhortation would come if we had analysed a source based only on the words we saw on the page in front of us.

He was implying that toddlers only see the world in front of them. As he wouldn't tire of saying, the most revealing thing about a source is often what it fails to tell us.

I couldn’t help thinking of that lesson as I noticed the lack of even a hint of disquiet in the German press this week after the Bundestag voted to make entrance to its debating chamber conditional on having a vaccine.

The decision, supported by all the parties except for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), creates a de facto vaccine mandate for MdBs. Those who don’t comply will be allowed to watch from the seating area above the hall but they won’t be able to take part in debates.

Previously, MdBs who were not vaccinated could enter the plenary hall by show…