The German Bundesrat, the upper chamber of the German parliament, has proposed banning Germans from denigrating both the European Union flag and anthem.
The Bundesrat, which is composed of delegates from the German states, passed a bill that could see individuals who either denigrate the EU flag or the EU anthem, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”, punished with a fine or up to three years in prison, Die Welt reports.
German newspaper Saarbrücken Zeitung obtained a draft of the law earlier this year that urged law enforcement agencies “to take firm and effective action against those whose aim is to disparage the fundamental values of the European Union”.
The draft continued, stating that violations would also cover attacks “on the reputation of the symbols of the European Union”.
Trump-backed Hilton advances to California governor general election
WATCH: As Fraud Accusations Swirl, Nick Shirley Confronts ‘126 Year-Old’ Who Voted in 51 Elections, According to California Sec. of State
Fetterman refuses to defend Platner, calls him ‘baggage’ as scandals mount
ALERT: Trump Launches Strikes After Iran Downed Apache, Fulfilling His Promise to Respond
Riots consume Belfast over attempted beheading by Sudanese immigrant
Cornyn won’t campaign for Paxton in Texas Senate race against Talarico
Progressive groups launch anti-Schumer billboard campaign in Washington
UFO whistleblower pushes Vance to investigate alleged billions of federal ‘slush funds’ tied to classified programs
Jurors Were Aghast and Karmelo Anthony Wouldn’t Look as Gruesome Image of Austin Metcalf’s Punctured Heart Was Presented at Trial
Tim Walz Gets Referred to DOJ for ‘Full Criminal Investigation’
Stephen A. Smith fires back at Trump over ‘low IQ’ jab: ‘Put my IQ up against yours’
Obama pays tribute to chef who tragically drowned at vacation compound with new honor
DHS directs ICE to deport illegal immigrants who vote in American elections under new directive
Nancy Guthrie sheriff caught with undeclared gun at airport faced no charges, bodycam video shows
WATCH: SPLC chief doubles down on placing Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA on ‘hate map’
The newly passed bill must now be ratified by the Bundestag, although no date for a vote on the matter has been scheduled so far.
French Schools Forced to Fly EU Flags Beside Tricolore in Macron Reforms https://t.co/ViASDDRnCs
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) September 4, 2019
Germany has laws on the books that outlaw the denigration of foreign flags and national emblems but so far, the European Union’s flag and symbols have not been recognised under the laws.
Trump-backed Hilton advances to California governor general election
WATCH: As Fraud Accusations Swirl, Nick Shirley Confronts ‘126 Year-Old’ Who Voted in 51 Elections, According to California Sec. of State
Fetterman refuses to defend Platner, calls him ‘baggage’ as scandals mount
ALERT: Trump Launches Strikes After Iran Downed Apache, Fulfilling His Promise to Respond
Riots consume Belfast over attempted beheading by Sudanese immigrant
Cornyn won’t campaign for Paxton in Texas Senate race against Talarico
Progressive groups launch anti-Schumer billboard campaign in Washington
UFO whistleblower pushes Vance to investigate alleged billions of federal ‘slush funds’ tied to classified programs
Jurors Were Aghast and Karmelo Anthony Wouldn’t Look as Gruesome Image of Austin Metcalf’s Punctured Heart Was Presented at Trial
Tim Walz Gets Referred to DOJ for ‘Full Criminal Investigation’
Stephen A. Smith fires back at Trump over ‘low IQ’ jab: ‘Put my IQ up against yours’
Obama pays tribute to chef who tragically drowned at vacation compound with new honor
DHS directs ICE to deport illegal immigrants who vote in American elections under new directive
Nancy Guthrie sheriff caught with undeclared gun at airport faced no charges, bodycam video shows
WATCH: SPLC chief doubles down on placing Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA on ‘hate map’
The country also has laws against insulting foreign heads of state, a law that nearly saw the prosecution of left-wing comedian Jan Böhmermann in 2016 over an offensive poem about Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that was later banned by a German court.
While charges were initiated against Böhmermann, they were later dropped, with Chancellor Angela Merkel even admitting that she had made an “error” in viewing the poem as “deliberately insulting”.
In neighbouring France, the government has forced schools across the country to start flying the EU flag alongside the French tricolore.
The move was part of educational reforms enacted by French president Emmanuel Macron that also lowered the age of compulsory school entry from six to three years old.
Trump-backed Hilton advances to California governor general election
WATCH: As Fraud Accusations Swirl, Nick Shirley Confronts ‘126 Year-Old’ Who Voted in 51 Elections, According to California Sec. of State
Fetterman refuses to defend Platner, calls him ‘baggage’ as scandals mount
ALERT: Trump Launches Strikes After Iran Downed Apache, Fulfilling His Promise to Respond
Riots consume Belfast over attempted beheading by Sudanese immigrant
Cornyn won’t campaign for Paxton in Texas Senate race against Talarico
Progressive groups launch anti-Schumer billboard campaign in Washington
UFO whistleblower pushes Vance to investigate alleged billions of federal ‘slush funds’ tied to classified programs
Jurors Were Aghast and Karmelo Anthony Wouldn’t Look as Gruesome Image of Austin Metcalf’s Punctured Heart Was Presented at Trial
Tim Walz Gets Referred to DOJ for ‘Full Criminal Investigation’
Stephen A. Smith fires back at Trump over ‘low IQ’ jab: ‘Put my IQ up against yours’
Obama pays tribute to chef who tragically drowned at vacation compound with new honor
DHS directs ICE to deport illegal immigrants who vote in American elections under new directive
Nancy Guthrie sheriff caught with undeclared gun at airport faced no charges, bodycam video shows
WATCH: SPLC chief doubles down on placing Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA on ‘hate map’
‘Our Country Is France, Not the EU!‘: EU Flag Compulsory in All Classrooms https://t.co/0C0V8rxmaW
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) February 14, 2019
Story cited here.
