In a step unparalleled in modern-day history, lawmakers, this Wednesday deprived a far-right politician of his role as a parliamentary board chairperson. He had made remarks widely condemned as anti-Semitic.
Stephan Brandner, a trial lawyer and follower of the far-right Alternative for the German (AfD) political party, had acted as chief of the legal affairs group in Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag
All parliamentary factions inside the Bundestag, excepting his own party, voted for Brandner's exclusion from the position. The removal of Brandner is a strong signal against provocation and hatred. We are finally returning respectability to the post, said Jan-Marco Luczak, deputy parliamentary spokesperson for Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right Christian Democrats party. Another spokesperson Johannes Fechner, a parliamentary legal expert for the centre-left Social Democrats, also said Mr Brandner was simply no longer acceptable.
In addition to numerous other accusations from politicians and professional groups, including the German Bar Association and DJB lawyers' association, had issued a statement that Brandner was "not able to meet the demands of his office" or to "always guarantee respect for people."
No such dismissal has happened in the Bundestag's 70-year history.
More on this story as news comes in
Steve Simmonds