Overview

• Merz backed Bundestag President Klöckner’s ruling to limit the rainbow flag display to May 17, excluding it from Christopher Street Day later this month.
• The chancellor’s “not a circus tent” remark prompted sharp rebukes from Sophie Koch, Andre Lehmann, Katharina Masoud and SPDqueer for demeaning LGBTQ+ symbolism.
• New Bundestag administration rules bar the Regenbogen-Netzwerk staff group from participating under an official banner, citing a neutrality requirement.
• Advocacy organisations warned the stance undermines symbolic solidarity with queer Germans as CSD events proceed under heightened security after credible threat investigations.
• Greens, SPD and Die Linke urged a review of the neutrality rule, calling for the rainbow flag to fly again during July’s Pride celebrations.