Landesparlamente in der Pandemie: Ein Erfahrungsbericht aus Rheinland-Pfalz.

The German state parliaments (Landtage) followed different strategies to maintain parliamentary influence during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the early phase of the pandemic in 2020, crucial groundwork was laid for successfully ensuring the parliaments' ability to function. Technical and organisational measures secured continuity in all state parliaments of Germany. A closer investigation of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate shows changes in internal processes and outside communication. The Council of Elders in particular gained importance at the beginning of the pandemic in its dual function as a parliamentary steering committee and as an instrument of transparent pluralistic public relations of the parliament. A higher need for information was met by an equally increased demand for knowledge from the citizens and the media. The Landtag attempted to fulfill it through the digitalization of committees and an increase in communication activities. All in all, it succeeded to counteract a loss of importance in relation to the executive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]