Germany: Old verses start fresh row

By Caroline Wyatt in Berlin

Even more than half a century since the end of World War II, Germany's national anthem is proving problematic.

A huge row has erupted among Germany's conservatives over the right to sing a controversial verse of the anthem Deutschland Uber Alles, or "Germany above Everything".

Why shouldn't one sing the first verse if one truly loves one's Fatherland

Wolfgang Zeitlmann, CSU

A leading Christian Democrat politician, Guenther Oettinger, triggered the argument when it emerged that he had sung the banned first verse of the anthem at a dinner with his old student duelling club at Tuebingen University.

The verse was effectively removed from public life after the Nazis interpreted it as a hymn of praise for their expansionist policies.

Since the 1950s, only the third - more politically neutral verse - has been sung on public occasions.

The first verses begin "Germany, Germany above Everything, Everything in the world" and go on to refer to Germany's borders stretching from the Maas river in the west to the Memel in the east.

These days, the Memel is in Lithuania.

The words suggest that Germany still considers former East Prussia to be part of its territory, which does not amuse the Poles, Lithuanians or indeed anyone else.

As a result, the German national anthem is these days confined to the verse which begins: "Unity and justice and freedom for the German fatherland."

No apology

So for a politician to sing the forbidden verses is being seen by many as deeply politically incorrect.

Mr Oettinger is no newcomer to politics, but the Christian Democratic parliamentary leader in southwest Germany.

His conduct has split his party, though he remains loathe to apologise.

So far he has not been reprimanded - although the debate is sure to rumble on.

The former speaker of the German Bundestag, Rita Suessmuth, said she disapproved of his conduct.

"I think it's very dubious to sing 'Germany above Everything'," she said.

Just being patriotic?

The current CDU leadership has wisely stayed out of the argument.

However, Mr Oettinger did gain some support from the right of his party.

Erika Steinbach is an MP who represents Germans expelled from the east after the war.

"All three verses constitute our national anthem. I don't have a problem with that."

Likewise, Wolfgang Zeitlmann of the CDU's sister party, the Bavarian Christian Social Union says that it is a question of patriotism.

"Why shouldn't one sing the first verse if one truly loves one's Fatherland?" he asked.

It is a debate which arouses mixed feelings among many Germans.

However, most agree that the controversial verses should continue to be left out - and that as a leading politician, Mr Oettinger should have known better.

He himself says that in private, he sees nothing wrong with singing them, but would not dream of doing so in public.