The 21st German Bundestag convened for its inaugural session on Tuesday, marking the start of a new legislative period.

This session, held on the last permissible day after February's elections, introduced several changes, including a reduced number of members—630 compared to the previous 733. Gregor Gysi of Die Linke, with over 31 years of parliamentary experience, opened the session as Alterspräsident, delivering a speech limited to 30 minutes.

Julia Klöckner of the CDU/CSU was nominated for Bundestagspräsidentin, a position traditionally held by the largest parliamentary group.

The session concluded with the national anthem, a return to tradition after pandemic restrictions.

Meanwhile, coalition negotiations between the SPD and CDU/CSU continue, leaving Olaf Scholz's government in a caretaker role.