ADVERTISING
CDU welcomes new visitor quota for so-called "orphaned constituencies"
Good news for school classes and politically interested individuals in the Darmstadt constituency: Despite the current lack of representation in the Bundestag, access to subsidized trips to Berlin available. The Council of Elders of the German Bundestag recently decided to allocate a special quota of 230 places per year for trips from the four affected constituencies – including the Darmstadt constituency.
CDU district chairman Lutz Köhler welcomes this step: “I am very pleased that the Bundestag is also thinking of the citizens of Darmstadt and the 14 surrounding towns and municipalities. The electoral reform has deprived our region of its political representation – however, interest in politics remains unbroken.”
Background: Won a direct mandate, but no seat in the Bundestag
In the snap federal election on February 23, 2025, Dr. Astrid Mannes (CDU) won the direct mandate in the Darmstadt constituency. However, due to the electoral reform passed beforehand, which limits overhang and leveling seats, Darmstadt is now one of the four "orphaned constituencies" without a representative in parliament.
With the abolition of the direct mandate, the possibility of organizing subsidized visits to the Bundestag through a member of parliament – including tours, plenary sessions, and discussions – also disappeared. Thanks to the new resolution, interested groups can now once again travel to Berlin with support , even without their own parliamentary representation.
Applications can be submitted directly through the Bundestag
For the current year, 2025, 197 places available. School classes, , traditionally make good use of these opportunities. The Bundestag administration will contact educational institutions in the constituency relevant school authorities the German Bundestag's Visitor Service directly .
Köhler, who is also the deputy district administrator and head of the school department of the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, points out that members of the CDU state group of Hesse obligatory parliamentary interview on behalf of the vacant constituencies – “as far as their time allows,” says Köhler.
“A big thank you to all those who championed this solution. This ensures that political education remains a tangible experience – even in constituencies without a direct vote in the Bundestag,” Köhler concluded.
(DARMSTADT – RED/CDU)
