German parliament elects an ex-minister as speaker as it opens a potentially confrontational term

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's new parliament on Tuesday elected as its speaker a conservative former minister, who called for civilized debate in what is likely to be a confrontational term after a far-right, anti-immigration party doubled in strength in last month's election.

The post of speaker — in protocol terms Germany's second-highest, behind the president and ahead of the chancellor — traditionally goes to the strongest group in parliament's lower house, or Bundestag. After the Feb. 23 election, that is the center-right Union bloc of the country's likely next leader, Friedrich Merz.

Merz's choice was Julia Klöckner, 52, who was agriculture minister from 2018 to 2021 in then-Chancellor Angela Merkel's final government. Lawmakers elected her by 382 votes to 204, with 31 abstentions.

Klöckner promised lawmakers she would carry out her duties in a “non-partisan, calm and undaunted” way.

The atmosphere in the Bundestag has become considerably more heated since the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, first won seats in 2017. It finished second in last month's election, doubling its share of the vote to 20.8%, and now holds 152 of the 630 seats.

“There is a very clear yardstick for me: decency,” Klöckner said.

“We must conduct and endure controversial discourse ... according to clear rules,” she added. “I will take care that we deal with each other in a civilized way — and if we don't do that, learn to.”

According to parliamentary rules, other parties are each supposed to get a deputy speaker, but their candidates must win a majority of lawmakers. In its eight years in parliament, a majority has balked at every candidate AfD has proposed. On Tuesday, the Bundestag snubbed AfD lawmaker Gerold Otten, who failed to win more than 190 votes.

It's not clear when the Bundestag will be able to elect a new chancellor. Merz is still in talks to form a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Scholz and his Cabinet received their dismissal certificates from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday. But as is customary, Steinmeier tasked the government to stay in office on a caretaker basis until a new chancellor is in place.

CDU leader Friedrich Metz attends the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

CDU leader Friedrich Merz attends the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

The AfD party faction votes during the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Chancellor, third from left, and ministers leave after theirf formally dismissal in Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, left, and CDU leader Friedrich Metz attend the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Lawmakers attend the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Lawmakers attend the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

CDU leader Friedrich Metz, left, and designated new Parliament President Julia Kloeckner attend the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

CAPTION CORRECTS THE NAME - Julia Kloeckner is congratulated by CDU leader Friedrich Metz after being elected new Parliament President during the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Chancellor Olaf Scholz waits for his formally dismissal in Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, walks past German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier after being formally dismised in Berlin in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

CAPTION CORRECTS THE NAME - Julia Kloeckner reacts after being elected new Parliament President during the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Julia Kloeckner, right, talks to CDU leader Friedrich Metz after being elected new Parliament President during the constituent session of the newly elected German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

WASHINGTON (AP) — What's all the buzz about?

Melania Trump on Friday announced that she is expanding the White House honey program by adding a beehive in the shape of the White House to two other beehives that have been on the south grounds since 2009.

The existing hives can swell to about 70,000 bees during peak summer months and produce 200 pounds to 225 pounds (91 to 102 kilograms) of honey in a year, the White House said. The new hive could increase honey production by about 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms), according to the White House.

The White House uses the clover honey to prepare meals, as official gifts from the president and first lady, and in donations to food kitchens.

The bees help pollinate a nearby produce garden that then-first lady Michelle Obama started in 2009 and a nearby flower cutting garden, along with vegetation on the National Mall.

The beekeeping program began in 2009 after a White House carpenter started beekeeping as a hobby on the complex.

The new hive was funded through the Trust for the National Mall, the White House said.

The hive and the base were designed by White House residence staff and hand-made by a Virginia artisan.

First lady Melania Trump smiles during the 113th Annual First Lady's Luncheon, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)