Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been criticized for his remarks that the rainbow flag should not be flown at the Bundestag for the Pride parade, saying parliament is not a "circus tent".

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's decision not to allow the rainbow flag to be flown at the Bundestag for the Pride parade has sparked controversy. Julia Kloeckner, speaker of parliament, announced that the flag would only be flown on International Day Against Homophobia. Merz argued that parliament should only fly national flags, sparking backlash from activists and politicians. LGBTQ rights organizations condemned his remarks, stressing the importance of the rainbow flag as a symbol of diversity and human rights.