Flag obligation in Saxony-Anhalt: AfD and CDU set a sign

Flag obligation in Saxony-Anhalt: AfD and CDU set a sign

In the district of Jerichower Land in Saxony-Anhalt, a new regulation for the flagship of public buildings was introduced. This decision, which is based on an application of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) entitled "Show Flag", stipulates that the Germany flag is being hoisted at schools and administrative buildings, insofar as it is technically possible. The measure was enforced together with the CDU, which caused the two parties in the district policy.

A total of six locations are available in the district with flag masts for which the district is responsible. The decision is considered symbolic, especially because of the cooperation between the AfD and the CDU. Critics, including the left in Saxony-Anhalt, accuse the CDU to legitimize a right-wing extremist party and to undermine social cohesion. According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt is classified as secure right-wing extremist.

political composition and voting result

After the district elections in 2024, the CDU have 13 seats and the AfD over 11 seats in the district council, which together gives them a majority of 24 of the 42 seats. The decision to make the flags was made with a votes in votes in votes in votes, 13 no votes and 4 abstentions.

The decision on the flag also has an impact on school culture: Thomas Dreher, the director of the Roland-Gymnasium, expressed his negative view of the regulation, but confirmed that the obligation to flag must be implemented on the basis of an instruction from the district. The round decree of the Interior Ministry of Saxony-Anhalt provides for regular flag for the highest state authorities and the state parliament, while only recommendations are made for municipal institutions.

costs and long -term perspective

The costs for compliance with this regulation are not inconsiderable: for flagship, around 140 euros per flag mast and year are expected. Extrapolated to all schools in Germany, this could cost around 5 million euros a year. The AfD application aims to strengthen the common sense and to promote normalization in dealing with the German flag.

This regulation fits into a broader context of symbolic politics, in which signs and gestures are often weighted more than actual deeds. As explained in an essay on this topic, symbolic actions can have significant effects on the inner and external perception, whereby they can often do great damage with minimal effort. With its concern, the AfD seems to show the flag more in public space, to follow this trend and to set political accents ( BPB ).

Development in the Jerichower Land district is therefore in an exciting tension between political symbolism and practical implementation, which should provide discussions both at local and nationwide levels.