Rita Süssmuth's death exposes deep political divides in German parliament
Rita Süssmuth, a prominent German politician and former president of the Bundestag, has died at the age of 88. Her passing on 1 February led to a memorial service in parliament, where attendance revealed sharp contrasts between political factions.
Süssmuth, a long-standing member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), held key roles in German politics for decades. She served as the country's family minister from 1985 to 1988 before becoming Bundestag president—a position she held until 1998.
At her memorial, nearly all lawmakers from the major parties attended. The scene differed markedly for the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Of its more than 150 MPs, only around 30 were present. This meant roughly 80 percent of the AfD group did not take part in the service. No official explanation was given for the high absence rate among AfD representatives. The party also did not publicly comment on the reasons behind the low turnout.
The memorial highlighted a clear divide in parliamentary participation. While most factions turned out in full, the AfD's limited presence stood out. Süssmuth's legacy as a CDU figure and Bundestag leader remains widely acknowledged across the political spectrum.
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