Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) has strongly defended her decision not to raise the rainbow flag at the Reichstag building for Christopher Street Day, dismissing criticism as having “lost all proportion and moderation”. In an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Klöckner stated that it is not feasible to raise flags for every worthwhile cause, citing “Orange Day” against violence against women as an example where a flag is not raised despite the importance of the issue.
Klöckner’s decision represents a departure from that of her predecessor, Bärbel Bas (SPD), who had previously authorized the flag raising. A petition advocating for a reversal of Klöckner’s decision garnered over 220,000 signatures. The rainbow flag will still be raised for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17th.
Addressing criticism regarding her comments on the political stances of churches, Klöckner asserted that the debate had become detached from her original remarks. She highlighted her own affiliation and involvement with the Catholic Church, emphasizing her theological education and payment of church taxes. She further suggested that many critics had not read her interview and were not members of the church themselves and that part of her understanding of the church involves self-reflection on its declining membership.
Responding to accusations of an overly didactic approach as Bundestag President, Klöckner stated she does not consider herself responsible for the conduct of MPs. She underscored the need for upholding rules applicable to all members regardless of party affiliation. “Especially in a parliament characterized by significant polarization, clarity and reliability are essential for restoring confidence in our political institutions.
Klöckner also expressed feeling unfairly treated, suggesting that women from the CDU are held to a higher standard compared to women from the Green Party. She recounted an experience where a journalist questioned her qualifications for the presidency early in her term-a line of questioning she believes would not have been posed to a male counterpart with a similar professional background.
The Bundestag President further criticized the tone of many public debates, arguing that perspectives in Berlin’s Mitte district are often disconnected from the concerns and desires of citizens throughout Germany. She emphasized the importance of engagement at the local level, citing her long-standing involvement with the district council in Bad Kreuznach as a source of valuable insights into the challenges of integrating migrants and managing social change. She characterized this type of involvement as a “vital seismograph” for understanding the realities of the country.