The re-elected President of the Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, verbally spoke out when he was outraged at the Essen Doctors' Day about the government's very short deadlines for new laws and regulations: It is downright "endangering democracy" when politically desired speed puts the parliament and the associations under pressure. As far as parliament is concerned, Reinhardt's criticism is true – as early as March, Bundestag President Bärbel Bas had complained to the traffic light coalition about summary proceedings.
But even if the Doctors' Conference likes to see itself as the "parliament" of the medical profession, there are two different problems as to whether the elected representatives of the people have to familiarize themselves with a government bill in the shortest possible time, or whether a professional political organization spends many a night beating itself around the ears because a draft ordinance ends up in the mailbox at a late hour. Of course, it would be bad political style if professional organizations such as the Medical Association were to continue to be involved unnecessarily late by Karl Lauterbach's Ministry of Health.
But to put oneself on a par with the Bundestag in terms of language – and thus in substance – as Reinhardt has done, is a bit too much of a good thing. Those who bypass the chamber may not make friends. However, this does not endanger democracy.