Scandal surrounding Green Youth leader: Klöckner threatens Nietzard with ban from the Bundestag

An Instagram post featuring an anti-police sweatshirt is increasingly putting Green Youth leader Jette Nietzard under pressure: An internal letter from Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) to the Green Party could further cause significant political tensions. Nietzard posed on Instagram wearing a sweatshirt bearing the words "ACAB." ("All Cops Are Bastards") – with the provocative subtitle: "On the way to the Bundestag."

According to the Bild newspaper, Klöckner responded with sharp criticism and threatened Nietzard with concrete consequences: a fine of up to 5,000 euros and, in the event of a repeat offense, even a ban from the Bundestag itself could be imposed if such an appearance were to occur. In the letter, signed by the Bundestag Director and dated May 30, Klöckner made it unequivocally clear that wearing such a garment violates the Bundestag's house rules.

Klöckner's words: "Especially in my responsibility towards my colleagues in the police force at the German Bundestag, who carry out their duties for our country and the protection of democracy, I strongly oppose the political message of the imprint (...)."

In addition, in her story, Nietzard directly alluded to Klöckner and asked her followers what she thought was worse – the "ACAB" sweater or an "Eat the Rich" cap. Klöckner is now countering with a clear appeal to the Greens to educate Nietzard about the legal framework in the Bundestag – and is suggesting that the young politician's ID card be checked. Nietzard currently has a "Green" category ID card, which she applied for through the party.

Nietzard, however, expressed surprise at the strong reaction to her post last weekend. She found an apology "exaggerated," she told Stern magazine. However, she doesn't see any reason to resign – and announced further controversial debates. She wants to "talk about systemic problems within the police force." While not every police officer is a "pig," Nietzard said, non-white people in particular are often afraid of the police.

Jette Nietzard: Not the first verbal outburst

The latest episode is just one in a series of recent statements by Nietzard that have raised eyebrows both inside and outside her own party. On New Year's Eve, Nietzard posted a tweet on her X account about firecrackers and men. It included the sentence: "Men who lose their hand can at least no longer hit women." The Green Youth leader apologized for this statement the following day, which she then deleted from X. But the response was already there, and the criticism, especially regarding the generalization, was immense.

A comment on the Stefan Gelbhaar case in January also drew fierce criticism. Allegations of sexual harassment, some of them serious, had been made against the then Berlin member of the Bundestag. In a "feminist party," Nietzard declared in mid-January that it's important to "believe those affected." In other words, there's no presumption of innocence for men accused of sexual abuse. "The presumption of innocence always applies in court. But we are an organization, and we, as the Greens, are not a court."

Only two verbal outbursts, barely any impact so far. This time, however, the backlash following the recent Instagram post with the anti-police sweater is particularly fierce, even within the ranks of the Green Party. Winfried Kretschmann , Baden-Württemberg's first Green Minister-President since 2011, even called on Nietzard to leave the party.