Overview

• Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow proposed putting Bertolt Brecht’s 'Kinderhymne' to a public vote as a replacement for the current anthem.
• He said many former East Germans do not sing the Deutschlandlied’s third stanza, even as he noted he personally sings it with enthusiasm.
• Ramelow also called for a referendum on the black-red-gold flag, acknowledging its anti-totalitarian heritage while noting lingering public unease with national symbols.
• He cited Article 146 as the legal framework, which presupposes a constitution approved by the people, underscoring the high bar for any change.
• The Left party politician made a similar appeal in 2019 and recently advocated a broader constitutional referendum, but no formal procedure has been initiated.