Berlin Metro station repainted in rainbow colours despite Reichstag Pride flag ban
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In a bold and colourful act of defiance, Berlin’s municipal transport company has transformed the Bundestag U-Bahn station with a vibrant rainbow makeover, following a controversial decision by Germany’s conservative leadership to ban Pride flags at the Reichstag.
The move comes just days before the city’s annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride parade, a major event in Berlin’s LGBTQ+ calendar. The makeover includes rainbow-painted staircases and a large Pride flag adorning the station entrance, situated just steps away from the German parliament building.
The gesture is widely seen as a response to Bundestag President Julia Klöckner’s recent directive prohibiting the display of rainbow flags on and around the Reichstag. Klöckner, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), cited parliamentary house rules in her decision, which also required MPs to remove Pride symbols from their offices. Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported the move, controversially stating that the Reichstag “is not a circus tent”.
The backlash has been swift. Opposition leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates have criticised the ban as regressive and out of step with Berlin’s inclusive spirit. Former Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit, who came out publicly in 2001, condemned the Chancellor’s remarks, calling them “stupid” and urging greater responsibility from national leaders.
Berlin’s public transport operator, BVG, took to Instagram to unveil the rainbow-themed station, writing, “We are happy to help you fly the flag,” and adding, “So our Bundestag is not ready for CSD”.
The revamped station is expected to be a focal point during Saturday’s Pride parade, which will wind its way through central Berlin, passing landmarks including the Bundesrat and Brandenburg Gate.
