Equal opportunities officers under fire: German flag and outrage!

Equal opportunities officers under fire: German flag and outrage!

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's equal opportunities officer Wenke Brüdgam (Left) spoke out in a social media video and described the German flag as a symbol of "nationalism" and "fascism". This quickly sparked outrage, particularly among the AfD and the CDU, who reacted critically. In her video, Brüdgam even referred to the flag as “those things” and expressed the suspicion that hoisting the flag on empty houses was a propagandistic message for nationalism. These provocative statements led AfD parliamentary group leader Detlef Kegel to file a criminal complaint against her. The CDU general secretary Katy Hoffmeister also demanded an explanation for Brüdgam's behavior, which prompted the Ministry of Justice to examine the allegations in several instances.

Brüdgam herself explained that she had spoken out in her role as a private person and emphasized: “Constitutional symbols should not be left to enemies of the constitution.” This happened against the backdrop of an ongoing social media campaign under the hashtag #hisstheflagge, which calls for the German flag to be raised. In Wolgast, numerous German flags were attached to public poles by various actors, which prompted the city administration to react clearly. Hanging the flag is legally permitted, but an investigation into possible trespassing is underway.

Right-wing extremist influences in your luggage?

A deeper look into the background shows that the Identitarian Movement, a right-wing extremist actor, is also involved in the campaign. This movement was founded in France and follows an ideology that is against multiculturalism and immigration. In 2019, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the Identitarian Movement as right-wing extremist and estimates the number of members in Germany at around 600. Its members are often young, well-dressed and well-spoken activists who see themselves as an elite group.

Martin Sellner, a prominent leader of this movement, has connections to the AfD and Pegida. He foregrounds the ideology of ethnopluralism, which strives for an “ethnically pure” Europe. This raises questions about the extent to which Brüdgam's statements and the social media campaign are in the context of these right-wing extremist currents. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution also warns against the inhumane ideologies that underlie these movements. In view of such developments, it is important to keep a close eye on the political currents in Germany.

A look into the right-wing extremist scene

The Identitarian Movement is not the only right-wing extremist group currently active in Germany. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has banned several organizations such as “Combat 18 Germany” and the “Weisse Wölfe Terrorcrew” in order to counteract the rise of such groups. Activists in these groups often show their beliefs through certain signs and symbols, the use of which is punishable by law.

Overall, the incident surrounding Wenke Brüdgam and the associated controversy over the German flag shows how quickly such issues can gain importance in the political landscape. The current political debates and the mobilization of right-wing extremist forces call for a clarifying conversation in society in order to prevent further escalation.