Green Party lawmaker Hanna Steinmüller made history in the German Bundestag by delivering her budget speech for the Ministry of Construction while carrying her baby in a front carrier, marking the first time a parliamentarian has addressed the federal assembly in such a manner.
In a video released by the Bundestag, Steinmüller’s infant son remained calm throughout her address and even fell asleep as she spoke, adding to the symbolic weight of the moment.
Steinmüller, who gave birth at the end of December, has previously brought her child into the plenary hall, but this was her first time addressing parliament from the podium while caring for her baby.
After the session, she took to Instagram to share her reflections, writing, “Crazy day. First we will celebrate in the evening, tomorrow some more thoughts on compatibility,” highlighting the challenges and joys of balancing political duties with motherhood.
The historic moment drew praise from fellow politicians, including Parliament President Julia Klöckner, who commended Steinmüller’s ability to manage baby care and parliamentary duties simultaneously.
Klöckner stressed that, under certain circumstances, babies are allowed in the Bundestag chamber, and Steinmüller had navigated the situation “excellently.”
Beyond its symbolic resonance, the speech has reignited debate about the role of parents in politics and how legislative bodies accommodate family responsibilities. The issue has been a recurring theme in German politics.
In 2009, female MPs clashed with the Berlin parliament president over the right to bring children into the chamber. Progress has since been made: in 2014, Baden-Württemberg became the first German state to introduce parental leave for lawmakers, and in 2017, the Bundestag established a playroom for children, supported by cross-party MPs through the “Parents in Politics” group. Steinmüller’s act is seen as a continuation of these efforts, symbolising both representation and change in German political culture.
