Dessau-Roßlau (dpa/sa) – The state constitutional court rejected an application by the left-wing member of the state parliament Henriette Quade on the right to ask questions in parliament on Monday. The background was a dispute over information from the state government about a former director of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA). The state government had classified parts of the answer to Quade’s small inquiry as classified information. The deputy took action against it.
However, the classification was right, ruled the state constitutional court. It is true that answers to small inquiries should always be given publicly. However, there are exceptions, for example when it comes to “interests of third parties worthy of protection”. A public answer would raise fears that the right to informational self-determination of the former LKA director would be violated. In this specific case, this outweighs the MPs’ right to information.
Quade said she respects the decision. The left-wing politician nevertheless sees deficits in parliamentary control of the state government. “Often the answers are very brief and the state government does not even try to answer questions.” This may also lead to complaints and legal disputes in the future.
As a spokeswoman for the constitutional court confirmed on request, a similar procedure is to be decided soon. The Greens politician Olaf Meister has also filed a lawsuit against the state government. The member of parliament also sees his right to information curtailed. This is about several inquiries from Meister about the lignite mining area in the south of the country.
