Rammstein debate on Elner: ZDF guest takes a clear stance

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There have been serious allegations against Rammstein singer Till Lindemann for weeks now. The Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office has also been investigating for some time. Lindemann clearly denies the allegations regarding his lawyers and would rather let his music speak for itself instead. At concerts in Berlin, it was notable that Lindemann repeatedly made slight changes to the lyrics, which can surely be understood as a statement.

Two camps formed clear in the debate for a long time. On the one hand, those who demand consequences. On the other hand, most of them are fans of the group who vigorously defend their idol in public. In Berlin, these two groups met directly during the protests against the concert.

On Maybritt Illner’s speaking tour, the discussion came up again. With Julian Nida Romelin, Vice-President of the German Ethics Council also commented on the case. He took a clear position in the debate.

Rammstein: The philosopher stresses the importance of the presumption of innocence

In their first statement after the allegations became known, the band implored their fans on two points: not to engage in “public prejudice against those who made the allegations”. At the same time, the musicians also asked not to take sides.

Nida Romelin also spoke about these prejudices in “Illner”. “The rules for the rule of law, the presumption of innocence: this is not a legal game in any way,” said the philosopher in a panel discussion. You can reject things and find them disgusting, he continued, but the rule of law will prevent “popular moods from taking hold”.

“There is a presumption of innocence,” Nida Romelin emphasized in Lindemann’s view. And then the courts have to clarify such allegations. He clearly said that there was no justification for “taking the place of the rule of law and saying, ‘Okay, let’s take matters into our own hands now’.”

Then the philosopher once again emphasized the role of the rule of law in such a process. “Repeal, refuse, sanction” must remain entrusted to the institutional structure of democracy. to caution:

The statement triggers discussions

Nida Romelin gets a lot of cheer on Twitter, especially for his statements about the presumption of innocence. “It’s bad that something that is really taken for granted has to be claimed,” says one comment. Another says: “Thank you, Professor Nida Romelin, for upholding and defending so wisely the principles of the rule of law.”

But there are also dissenting voices. One person notes, “The presumption of innocence also applies to alleged victims. As long as there is no evidence to the contrary, there is no reason to accuse them of lying.”