AfD lawmaker forced to remove ‘Straight Pride’ flag in Bundestag

According to Junge Freiheit, AfD Member of Parliament Beatrix von Storch and her colleague Stefan Keuter were confronted by federal police on Monday after displaying the German flag from the balcony of Keuter’s office. The incident occurred as several thousand demonstrators gathered outside the Bundestag for a government-critical rally, which the two parliamentarians were greeting from above.

Ohne Worte 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪@Beatrix_vStorch @StefanKeuterAfD pic.twitter.com/WeUYBf8zHX

— Pierre Lamely (@Pierre_Lamely) June 8, 2026

When federal police arrived at the scene, Keuter questioned the response, asking what the problem was with displaying the German flag. An officer replied that there was suspicion the action violated internal parliamentary rules. Keuter immediately pointed to the German flag flying atop the Reichstag building itself, highlighting the apparent contradiction. The officer stated the matter was under review.

Rainbow Flags Permitted While National Colors Face Scrutiny

Von Storch told Junge Freiheit that she does not know who alerted police to the flag display. She speculated the call may have originated from offices across the way where rainbow flags hang in windows, though she noted this remains unconfirmed. Parliamentary authorities are now reportedly examining whether rainbow flag displays are permitted under the same rules being applied to the national flag.

Following the incident, von Storch revealed that federal police asked her which culprits had participated in waving the German flag. She stated she could only recall herself and Keuter being involved. It remains unclear whether formal proceedings will be initiated against the two AfD lawmakers.

Previous Flag Dispute Over Patriotic Symbol

Von Storch, whose office faces an interior courtyard, reported this was not her first clash with authorities over flag displays. She previously faced complaints after hanging a so-called pride flag in her window, a variation of the German national colors. She subsequently replaced it with the standard black-red-gold flag after being assured the national colors were permitted. Now, however, parliamentary police are questioning whether waving the flag is also allowed.

The AfD lawmaker emphasized that neither she nor Keuter brought the German flag specifically for Monday’s demonstration. Rather, she said, it is always kept within reach in their offices.

Bundestag Administration Cites Internal Rules

A spokesman for the Bundestag administration declined to comment on ongoing police investigations when contacted by Junge Freiheit. He referenced parliamentary rules that prohibit unfurling banners or transparents, displaying or distributing information materials unless specifically authorized.

The regulations also state that posting notices, particularly posters, signs, and stickers on doors, walls, or windows in publicly accessible Bundestag buildings, as well as on windows and facades visible from outside, is categorically prohibited.

The administration noted that violations of internal rules are handled by the access affairs department, which acts on direct observations or tips that typically come from other staff members, parliamentary groups, or individual lawmakers.

AfD Lawmaker Blasts Absurd Response

Von Storch sharply criticized the police response in a post on social media platform X, questioning why Germany has become an international laughingstock and suggesting such incidents fuel growing support for the AfD.

The Bundestag administration refused to comment specifically on the earlier incident involving von Storch’s patriotic flag variant, citing data protection laws. Officials stated that personal data of parliamentarians is connected to the exercise of their mandate and protected not only by constitutional rights to informational self-determination but also by the freedom of parliamentary mandate guaranteed under Article 38 of the Basic Law.

With information from Junge Freiheit