Boos at the start of the PEN general meeting

Already during the welcome and motions for the rules of procedure there were boos for the internally controversial PEN President Deniz Yücel on Friday.

A lawyer complained that many members had not received an access code for the online vote on the dismissal of Yücel and other members of the Executive Committee and were therefore unable to cast their vote.

The members of the Writers’ Association are expected to decide on the future of the PEN President and other members of the Presidency later this afternoon. The leadership team was only elected in October and has since made headlines with internal quarrels. In essence, it is about insults, attempts at bullying and the tone of conversation.

In addition to an application to dismiss Yücel, there is also an application to express confidence in journalists at the head of the German PEN center. According to PEN, a simple majority is sufficient for the motions.