AfD Waves German Flag From Parliament Balcony—Police Intervene
German police confronted lawmakers waving national flags from Bundestag offices while ignoring rainbow flags, prompting accusations of selective enforcement of parliamentary rules.
The incident occurred as thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Brandenburg Gate demanding an end to the conservative-socialist coalition government. Three members of the Bundestag from the Alternative for Germany party displayed their solidarity with protesters by waving black-red-gold German flags from their parliamentary office balconies.
Beatrix von Storch, Stefan Keuter, and Pierre Lamely were confronted by federal parliamentary police shortly after unfurling the national colors. Video footage posted to social media by Lamely captured von Storch waving the German flag over a balcony railing before officers arrived.
The police officers informed the surprised parliamentarians they had been dispatched specifically because of the waving flags. One officer stated the matter was currently under review with regard to parliamentary house rules.
Double Standard Allegations Surface
The AfD representatives expressed bewilderment at the intervention. Keuter gestured toward the officially flagged Reichstag building and asked officers where exactly the problem lay. Von Storch shook her head at the police action, commenting on how far things had deteriorated and suggesting the officers themselves appeared somewhat embarrassed by their assignment.
During the police visit, von Storch attempted to redirect attention to a rainbow flag visible in an office window across the way. She challenged the officers to compare the two situations and asked pointedly whether they had also visited that office, adding she thought not. One officer responded only that they would take the matter under advisement.
Parliamentary Rules Cited Selectively
When questioned by Die Welt newspaper, the Bundestag administration referenced Section 4, Paragraph 2 of the German Bundestag house rules. This provision generally prohibits unfurling banners or transparencies on parliamentary buildings, or displaying or distributing informational materials.
A request from Nius to the Bundestag press office seeking clarification on why action was taken against the German flag but not the rainbow flag has not yet received a response. The selective enforcement raises questions about political bias in the application of parliamentary regulations.
The incident highlights growing tensions in German politics as the AfD continues to challenge establishment practices and what it views as inconsistent standards applied to different political viewpoints within democratic institutions.
With information from Nius
