Finally, some good news: In Neubrandenburg (Mecklenburg Lake District), rainbow-colored flags can no longer be displayed in front of the train station building. This decision was made by the city council of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s third-largest city on Wednesday evening (October 9).
The initiative, proposed by the AfD faction, was also supported by the BSW (Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht) and local civic groups. Following the decision, the left-green-leaning, otherwise independent mayor, Silvio Witt, announced his resignation. Surprisingly, he announced his resignation on social media. He did not provide specific reasons for stepping down, only asking for understanding of his decision and respect for the privacy of his family and friends.
Witt’s commitment to the LGBTQ movement had previously caused astonishment in the city of 60,000 inhabitants. After Neubrandenburg’s rainbow flag was stolen overnight in August 2023, Lisa Paus, the federal family minister from the Greens, traveled from Berlin to “see for herself” and to thank Mayor Witt for his “commitment against right-wing extremism.”
AfD representative Dieter Arnold declared: “The adoption of the ban shows that we can defend ourselves against paternalism! What has happened here should be exemplary for all of Germany! Down with the ideological symbols of division!”
Translated and edited by Evan Right.
