German MP makes first address to chamber in sign language

AFP | Berlin, Germany

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A German lawmaker made history on Thursday by giving the first address to parliament delivered in sign language and simultaneously spoken by an interpreter. Heike Heubach, a 44-yearold MP from the centre-left Social Democrats who has been hearing impaired since childhood, addressed climate change in a debate on urban planning.

“Climate change is unstoppable, but we must do our utmost to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and extreme weather,” she told the chamber. She passionately aimed at MPs from the centre-right CDU opposition party who, in her words, “claim that more climate protection is a burden”. “They are wrong! More climate protection will save lives and save money from the costs of natural catastrophes.

The most expensive thing would be doing nothing.” Heubach represents a constituency in the southern state of Bavaria and joined parliament in March to replace MP Uli Groetsch, who left the legislature to take up a post as a national police ombudsman.

Welcoming her,  the vice president of the Bundestag Aydan Ozoguz said Heubach’s speech was “a very special moment, as we are showing that we can represent our society a little better”. Fellow lawmakers applauded Heubach in sign language by raising and waving their hands as she took the podium and during her speech, and then giving her a standing ovation. Heubach thanked them by making a heart sign with her hands.