German Parliament Defends Denial of Access to AfD Employee with Russian Ties

Berlin. The German Bundestag is defending its decision to deny a house ID to Ulrich Oehme, a former member of parliament and current employee of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The denial stems from concerns over Oehme’s close connections to government authorities in Russia, raising security concerns within the parliament. Despite a legal challenge, the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court upheld the Bundestag administration’s decision on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Court Ruling and Security Concerns

The court confirmed the Bundestag administration’s assessment that Oehme poses a risk to the “functioning and operational capability” of the parliament due to his Russia contacts. Oehme, who served as an AfD lawmaker from 2017 to 2021, now works as a staff member for AfD MP Edgar Naujok. While parliamentary employees typically receive a house ID granting access to the Reichstag building and other parliamentary properties, Oehme’s application was rejected.

Oehme initially filed an urgent application with the Berlin Administrative Court, which was likewise rejected. He then appealed to the Higher Administrative Court, but the ruling remained unchanged. He intends to pursue the case further through standard legal proceedings.

Funding Controversy and Proposed Legal Changes

Despite the court’s finding that Oehme presents a security risk, his salary continues to be paid from state funds as an employee of an AfD MP. This situation has prompted Bundestag President Julia Klöckner to propose changes to the Members of Parliament Act, potentially allowing for the cessation of state funding for extremist or criminal employees of MPs. The proposal received broad support from all factions except the AfD.

Yet, the necessary reform of the Members of Parliament Act remains stalled. A key point of contention revolves around Article 38 of the Basic Law, which guarantees the freedom of the mandate – the principle that MPs are not bound by instructions and act according to their conscience. Concerns have been raised that restricting an MP’s hiring choices could infringe upon this freedom.

A legal opinion from Professor Klaus Ferdinand Gärditz of the University of Bonn, prepared for the Bundestag, suggests otherwise. Gärditz argues that the Bundestag is within its rights to establish legal requirements for employees and that the Basic Law does not protect the right to employ individuals who pose a threat to constitutional order. This opinion was previously used as a basis for tightening house rules within the Bundestag.

Calls for Stronger Security Measures

The incident has fueled calls for stronger security measures within the Bundestag. Irene Mihalic, First Parliamentary Managing Director of the Green Party, emphasized the need to protect the parliament and called for the swift passage of legislation. She also advocated for a Bundestag police law that would allow the Bundestag police to consult with the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in justified cases.

According to Mihalic, six other AfD employees have been denied or had their house IDs revoked, with two also pursuing legal action against the exclusion.

Recent Incidents and Growing Concerns

The AfD’s growing presence in parliament, coupled with recent incidents – such as allegations of harassment of Bundestag employees during a roll-call vote in November 2025 – have heightened concerns among other parliamentary groups. This has intensified the push for stricter regulations and enhanced security protocols.