Zwischenfraktionen

Zwischenfraktionen are informal parliamentary groups composed of deputies who do not sit in a formal faction (Fraktion) or who are temporarily outside it. They arise when MPs belong to independents, small parties, or have shifted positions in ways that prevent immediate formation of an official group, or during transitions between elections. The term is used in German national and state parliaments to describe these ad hoc or transitional coalitions.

The status of a Zwischenfraktion is distinct from a formal Fraktion. While it can provide a coordinated platform for debate and joint statements, it does not enjoy the full rights attached to a Fraktion in most legislatures. These rights typically include guaranteed speaking time, representation on committees, and a formal leadership structure, as well as a larger organizational budget. Consequently, Zwischenfraktionen rely more on informal cooperation and on the willingness of other factions to engage with them.

Functions and purposes of Zwischenfraktionen include coordinating votes on specific issues, presenting a unified position on minority or niche topics, and offering a bridge for MPs who may later join a formal faction or help form a new party. They can also serve as a testing ground for policy positions that do not yet attract broad party support.

Historically, the concept has appeared in German parliamentary practice during periods of political realignment or when independents and minor groups sought to influence proceedings without yet forming a permanent faction. In political science, Zwischenfraktionen are viewed as flexible, temporary instruments of legislative coordination rather than durable power centers.