Cansin Köktürk fined 2,000 euros by German Bundestag

Cansin Köktürk, a member of Die Linke in the German Bundestag, has become the first lawmaker to be fined 2,000 euros under newly tightened parliamentary rules. The fine follows multiple formal warnings (Ordnungsrufe) received within three weeks of sessions.

The incident occurred during a budget debate when Köktürk repeatedly interrupted an AfD lawmaker, René Springer. She described his remarks regarding asylum seekers as “rassistische Scheiße” (racist shit) and later accused Bundestag Vice President Andrea Lindholz of “protecting the fascists” after receiving a warning. Following the second warning, Köktürk left the plenary hall in protest.

In response to the fine, Köktürk launched a crowdfunding campaign titled “Antifaschismus heißt Menschen retten” (Antifascism means saving people) to benefit the sea rescue organization Sea-Watch. The campaign, which aims to raise 16,000 euros, frames the fine as an attempt to silence her political engagement. As of recent reports, the campaign had already raised several thousand euros.