The new Bundestag will face enormous challenges — like boosting the ailing economy and contending with the United States' shift away from Europe. The parliament will also have the biggest number of far-right lawmakers since World War II.
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00:00The first day is almost always about formalities, like finding your seat,
00:05updating your profile picture, meeting the new colleagues.
00:10Or, as the longest-serving member chairing the first session,
00:15that honour fell to Gregor Gysi of the Left Party.
00:18He took aim at the much larger presence of far-right AFD members
00:22whom he accused of undermining German values.
00:27Freedom, democracy and the rule of law cannot be defended with members of the House
00:32and a party that want to denigrate and marginalise German responsibility
00:37for the worst crime against humanity as a cult of guilt.
00:41Security services have labelled the AFD as a suspected far-right extremist organisation.
00:47It is now the second biggest party with 152 members.
00:52The faction is so big the parliamentary authorities forgot to build an extra row of seats at the back.
00:57I hope you're feeling comfortable on the foldable chairs back there.
01:01It's not just about rearranging the furniture.
01:04Other formalities include voting for a new Bundestag president.
01:08It will now be Julia Klöckner's job to maintain order in parliament.
01:14Of course, arguing is about style and also about respect for each other.
01:20I'm sure the way we deal with each other here and exchange arguments has an influence on society.
01:32That will be no easy task with Germany facing an economic recession, war in Europe
01:37and a challenge to transform its military.
01:40The debate in parliament is almost certain to be impassioned.