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The Federal Ministry of Defense reacted with disillusionment to criticism of the big tattoo with torches in front of the Reichstag building.
Berlin – «Debate is necessary and important. Comparisons with Germany’s darkest chapter disappoint us, ”the ministry wrote on Thursday on Twitter. The Bundeswehr is a parliamentary army. “As this she has her place in the midst of society – on special occasions also in front of the Reichstag building.” The ministry posted an explanatory video about the tattoo to accompany the comment.
The Bundestag and the federal government thanked the approximately 90,000 men and women of the Bundeswehr deployed in Afghanistan on Wednesday for their difficult mission. A closing roll call in front of the Ministry of Defense was followed by a grand tattoo in front of the Reichstag building, the highest military ceremony of the German armed forces. The pictures of soldiers with torches in front of the Reichstag building have caused some alienation and criticism on the internet. A number of Twitter users felt reminded of dark chapters in German history by the scenes. Other users disagreed, and several defense politicians reacted irritably to the criticism. The catchphrase #Zapfenstreich was temporarily in second place on Thursday on the Twitter trends for Germany. (dpa)