Zwickau city council withdraws ban on advertising for the Bundeswehr

After fierce disputes, the Zwickau city council has withdrawn its ban on advertising for the German Armed Forces. In the third vote on the issue, 26 councillors voted to revoke the original resolution. There were also two votes against and 13 abstentions, according to a spokesperson for the city administration.

The city council had first passed a ban on advertising for the German Armed Forces at the end of January. This had caused criticism across the region. Mayor Constance Arndt (Citizens for Zwickau) had lodged an objection to the decision, meaning that the city council had to revisit the issue. However, in February, the majority of the committee again voted in favor of the motion submitted by the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).

Municipal supervisory authority: City council had exceeded its powers

The municipal supervisory authority then decided that such an advertising ban was in breach of the law and that the city council had exceeded its powers. "The Bundeswehr is an institution anchored in the German constitution," was the reason given. "There is no constitutional basis for discriminating against the Bundeswehr compared to other employers in terms of advertising space or events."

Therefore, it was up to the city council to repeal the passage. The corresponding proposal from the town hall was approved by a majority of the committee.