Conversational exchange revolving around the individual with the microphone
In May 2025, Mr. Wolfram Weimer, the newly appointed Culture Minister under the Merz government, took office with a mission to narrow the "corridor of the sayable" by banning gender-inclusive language forms in federal government communications, including in regions like Thuringia where the Merz government holds influence[1].
This conservative stance, aimed at restricting ideologically charged language, has sparked a heated debate across Germany. Critics argue that Weimer's approach limits inclusivity and linguistic experimentation, undermines efforts towards equality, and represents an authoritarian overreach in language policing[1].
The policy has been criticised for suppressing alternative linguistic expressions that challenge traditional gender norms, effectively shrinking the public discourse space. Furthermore, it has contributed to a broader cultural conflict over public discourse in Germany and Thuringia[1][2].
Interestingly, the opinions in Thuringia suggest a narrowing of the corridor of what is expressed, with some calling for a return to the 1950s, where men were the sole measure[3]. However, it's worth noting that Weimer himself did not start his tenure at the top level of the ministry as a career changer, but rather skipped the usual initial steps in his role[4].
The Merz government's stance on language can be interpreted in part as an effort to assert clear cultural boundaries amidst political fragmentation and controversy in Thuringia[2][3]. The coalition politics involving CDU, SPD, and BSW face challenges, including the presence of extremist parties in Thuringia.
Despite the criticisms, it's essential to clarify that Weimer's policy does not aim to create a wider space for unhindered speech, but rather to narrow the corridor of the sayable by banning specific language forms. This raises questions about the balance between controlling language and upholding freedom of speech in public discourse.
In summary, Weimer's policy under the Merz government has sparked significant controversy for narrowing the "corridor of the sayable" by banning gender-inclusive language forms in official federal communications, eliciting criticism for suppressing linguistic freedom and inclusivity, and contributing to a broader cultural conflict over public discourse in Germany and Thuringia[1][2].
[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 [3] Source 3
- The debate over Weimer's policy-and-legislation on gender-inclusive language forms in federal communication extends beyond the Merz government, delving into the broader realms of politics and general-news, as it raises questions about the balance between controlling language and upholding freedom of speech in public discourse.
- The controversy surrounding Weimer's policy in Thuringia mirrors the broader cultural conflict over public discourse in Germany, highlighting the impact of policy-and-legislation on the politics of language and the exploration of linguistic diversity and inclusivity.
