Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz's (CDU) statement in connection with the rainbow flag that the Bundestag is “not a circus tent” has been met with fierce criticism from politicians and associations. The federal government's queer commissioner, Sophie Koch (SPD), told ZDFheute.de that queer people are “an integral part of our society” and that the rainbow flag on the Bundestag would have been “a powerful commitment by the state” to protect them. “An understanding of this would be appropriate for a Federal Chancellor.”
On the ARD program “Maischberger” on Tuesday, Merz backed the decision of his party colleague and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) not to fly the rainbow flag on the Bundestag for Christopher Street Day (CSD) this year. The Bundestag is “not a circus tent” on which flags can be hoisted at will, he said. “This decision is the right one.”
The Lesbian and Gay Federation (LSVD) accused Merz of offending the queer community with his statement. This was a “derailment”, LSVD board member Andre Lehmann told ZDFheute.de. “The rainbow flag is not a circus canvas, but a universal symbol of diversity and human rights,” he continued. “I would like to remind the Federal Chancellor that he is talking about a persecuted group under National Socialism that was suppressed and criminalized for a long time in the Federal Republic of Germany.”
Green parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann attested to Merz's “talent for putting his foot in his mouth and offending people in the process”. The Bundestag is the parliament of the citizens and the rainbow flag represents a group “that is increasingly affected by hostility, violence and hatred”, she wrote on the internet service X. “Friedrich Merz could stand up for diversity, self-determination and the preservation of basic democratic rights instead of ridiculing these values.”
Left-wing parliamentary group leader Heidi Reichinnek also described Merz's words as “completely inappropriate”. She told ZDFheute.de that violence against queer people has been on the rise for years and the CDU/CSU “is now also refusing a symbolic act and ridiculing the fight for visibility”.
SPD Parliamentary Secretary Dirk Wiese told Welt TV that he personally “would not have had a problem” if the flag had flown over the Bundestag again at CSD as a “symbol of a cosmopolitan, tolerant Germany”. It had already been hoisted there on May 17th, the day against homophobia. Klöckner then wanted to leave it at that.
The CSD in Berlin takes place at the end of July. It was also recently announced that employees of the Bundestag administration will not be allowed to take part as a separate group. The new administrative director appointed by Paul Göttke justified this with a duty of neutrality. However, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, headed by Karin Prien (CDU), announced that it would once again be sending its own car.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
