by EuroNews
It’s published
The German Prime Minister and CDU party leader Friedrich Merz face significant backlash from his political opponents after rejecting a call to fly a pride flag with the bandettag.
Appearing on the public broadcaster ARD on Tuesday, Meltz defended his party’s MP and host President Julia Kleckner – who previously refused to display the Christopher Street Day rainbow flag on July 26 – said the flag should only fly on May 17, the international day against gays.
“On all other days, the German flag and European flag are flying in German passages, and there are no other ones. And this decision is the right one,” he said.
In Germany, Christopher Street Day has been observed to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riot in New York (the first major LGBTQ+ community uprising against persecution), and is usually marked by pride events across the country.
Over the past few years, the Rainbow flag has been exhibited in Vandetagville during the Pride event, with the former Prime Minister taking part in the Christopher Street Day celebration.
Mertz’s words sparked considerable criticism from the opposition. Sophie Koch, the government’s odd commissioner and MP for the Central Left SPD, questioned whether there was a statement implying that the LGBTQ+ community is a “circus animal.”
Katharina Droge, Bundesag’s green party leader, said the rainbow flag represents “a group that is increasingly influenced by hostility, violence and hatred” and therefore holds its place in Congress.
The Green-led lawmakers also protested in the railway room wearing clothes that feature rainbow flags.
