German Choir Protest Song Rocks

The Yodel of Defiance: How a German Choir’s Protest Song Rocked the Political Establishment

A German choir has found itself at the centre of a national debate after its protest song unexpectedly disrupted a high-profile television broadcast. The group, Corner Chor, expressed its satisfaction that their track was utilized to send a clear message across the country. The musical intervention targeted Alice Weidel, a leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, during a live interview. The event, orchestrated by an activist art collective, has since amplified discussions about the role of protest and art in Germany’s charged political landscape. It turned a local choir's tune into a viral anthem of dissent. The incident highlights an increasing movement of artistic activism in response to the rise of right-wing populism in Germany.

A Disruption on the Spree

The scene unfolded on a government building's terrace in Berlin that has a view of the Spree River. Alice Weidel was participating in the annual interview series in the summer, a relaxed television format where major political leaders are questioned. Suddenly, powerful sound equipment rated at 100,000 watts from the opposite riverbank began blasting a yodelling song. The music almost completely drowned out the conversation. It forced Weidel to move closer to the interviewer, Markus Preiß, stating she had difficulty understanding him over the noise. Neither ARD, the state broadcaster, nor the authorities had any prior warning of the planned disruption. The sound was overwhelming, turning a formal interview into a chaotic public spectacle.

The Architects of Embellishment

Behind the action was the ZPS (Centre for Political Beauty), a collective of artists guided by Philipp Ruch, a philosopher. The choir itself was unaware of the ZPS's carefully orchestrated plan. Ruch later described the intervention not as a disruption, but as "more of an embellishment". He argued that since the government had previously designated the AfD as a right-wing extremist organisation, the broadcaster should have recognised that providing Weidel with such a platform was an improper concept in the first place. The ZPS has a long history of provocative actions designed to challenge political and social norms, aiming to generate news rather than just comment on it.

A Philosophy of Provocation

The Centre for Political Beauty defines its identity as an "assault troop" for moral beauty and human magnanimity. The collective believes that art must hurt, irritate, and unsettle to be effective. Founder Philipp Ruch champions a form of "aggressive humanism," creating what he calls "counter-realities" where art and real-world events collide. This philosophy drives the group to tackle major humanitarian issues like genocide and political inaction, judging their work from the perspective of the future. Critics have sometimes labelled their work "political pornography" or "megalomaniacal," but the ZPS insists the scale of their response matches the scale of the catastrophes they highlight.

The Holocaust Memorial Stunt

One of the ZPS's most famous actions took place in 2017. The group constructed a replica of Berlin's national Holocaust memorial directly next to the home of Björn Höcke, an AfD leader in Thuringia. This was a direct response to Höcke describing the actual memorial as a "monument of shame" and calling for a major shift in Germany's remembrance culture. Höcke's comments prompted the ZPS to act. Following a speech where Höcke labelled the ZPS a "terrorist organization," state prosecutors launched a 16-month criminal investigation into the artists, which was eventually dropped.

Art as Political Warfare

The ZPS's portfolio includes numerous other confrontational projects. In one instance, the group staged a march titled "The Dead Are Coming," which concluded with activists digging small, symbolic graves on the pristine lawn outside the Chancellery building in Berlin. This was to protest the government's response to refugee deaths in the Mediterranean. In another action, the ZPS offered to dispose of the AfD's campaign flyers, only to then publicly shred them and crowdfund over 100,000 euros for their legal defence when the party threatened a lawsuit. These stunts are possible because German law provides special protection for artistic freedom.

The Choir from Augsburg

Corner Chor, the group behind the viral song, hails from Augsburg, a city in the south. It has steadily built a reputation as a choir focused on activism, reflecting a movement gaining traction in Germany. Founded as a project for musical learning six years prior, the group performs in a multitude of settings, from festivals to street corners, and from squats to underground passageways. Recently, Augsburg's municipality recognised the choir with an award for its commitment to diversity, social justice, and the visibility of specific underrepresented groups. The vocal group has turned into a prominent voice in local activism, using music to engage with pressing social issues.

A Feminist, FLINTA-Friendly Collective

The ensemble is an ensemble of fifteen singers who identify as feminist and Flinta-friendly. Flinta is a German inclusive acronym for women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender individuals, signifying a secure and welcoming space for its members. The choir’s weekly rehearsals are treated as a sanctuary. While they are now famous for their anti-fascist activities, their musical interests are broad. The singers emphasise that they perform a broad repertoire from Mozart to sea shanties, showcasing a diverse artistic range beyond political protest. Their activism also includes advocating for complimentary sanitary items and against unfair rental prices, plus the wage gap between genders.

The Song of Protest

The track at the centre of the controversy is titled "Scheiß AfD Jodler." Corner Chor rewrote a melodious Christmas yodel from 19th-century Styria, transforming it into a protest song in three-part harmony aimed at the far right. A member of the choir explained that the goal was to reveal the AfD's platform peacefully. They chose the song for its uncomplicated, mantra-like quality, which has a contemplative feeling due to its Christmas origins. This allowed the choir to express its message with absolute clarity, using a traditional tune to deliver a modern political critique.

 Image Credit - Euro News

Inspired by a Secret Meeting

A widely reported 2023 gathering of extremists and neo-nazis, which was attended by party members, served as the track's inspiration. At this meeting, the central topic of discussion was the widespread expulsion of non-Germans. The eventual revelation of this meeting's agenda ignited widespread national demonstrations against the AfD. This event galvanised many, including the members of Corner Chor, to take a public stand. The choir’s song became one of the many creative responses to the troubling news, capturing the public mood of defiance against right-wing extremism.

A Party Under Surveillance

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has become the country's most significant party in opposition. However, its rise has been met with intense scrutiny. In May 2025, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), officially designated the national AfD party as a "proven right-wing extremist organization". This historic decision followed a multi-year investigation and was based on a comprehensive report exceeding 1,000 pages. The agency concluded that the party's xenophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric violates Germany's constitutional principles, particularly that of human dignity.

An "Exclusionary Concept"

The BfV's classification was the culmination of a long and careful process. The agency had already labelled several state-level AfD branches and the party's youth wing, Junge Alternative, as extremist. The federal investigation began in 2021, when the party was first designated a "suspected case." The final report cited the AfD's "ethnically exclusionary concept of the German people" as a primary reason for the designation, deeming it incompatible with the nation's democratic order. While the classification allows for intensified surveillance, it is not a formal ban, which can only be imposed by Germany's Federal Constitutional Court.

The Potsdam "Remigration" Plan

The nationwide protests that formed the backdrop to the choir's song were triggered by a January 2024 report from the investigative journalism group Correctiv. The report exposed a secret meeting held in November 2023 at a villa in Potsdam. At this meeting, high-ranking AfD politicians, prominent neo-Nazis, and wealthy donors gathered to discuss a "master plan." This plan detailed a strategy for "remigration," a term used to describe the large-scale removal of millions of people from Germany, including asylum seekers and German citizens of foreign origin deemed "non-assimilated".

A Nation Takes to the Streets

The Correctiv exposé sent a shockwave through the country. In the following months, millions of Germans took part in what became a massive movement to defend democracy. Estimates suggest that up to four million people participated in over 1,800 separate demonstrations against the AfD and right-wing extremism. The protests were notable for their scale and for the participation of senior government figures, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who joined rallies in Potsdam. The public mobilisation dominated the political conversation and intensified calls for a potential ban on the AfD.

An Unintentional Viral Hit

The members of Corner Chor, from diverse backgrounds, confessed their astonishment at the song's resonance after the broadcast featuring Weidel. The "Scheiß AfD Jodler" went viral, climbing to number six on the German iTunes charts and receiving sixty thousand listens via Spotify. Their Instagram page attracted a surge of new followers, and a ringtone version of the song was downloaded countless times from SoundCloud. The sudden fame also brought a stream of financial contributions, providing the choir with funds for its forthcoming projects and cementing the song's status as a viral phenomenon.

An Anthem of Dissent

The yodel has been extensively remixed by various artists and taken up by vocal ensembles nationwide. It has become a staple at protests, including at recent marches for Pride. Many people have cited the "earworm" quality of what Corner Chor describes as a brief musical piece opposing right-wing extremism. The song's simple, repetitive nature has made it an accessible and memorable anthem for a broad cross-section of society. Its journey from a niche choir project to a national protest song illustrates the power of music to capture and amplify a political moment.

The Inevitable Backlash

Not all the feedback has been favorable. The choir, which considers its rehearsals a secure environment, has been targeted with many online threats and abusive messages. Critics have charged the ensemble with trying to suppress the voices of the one-fifth of Germany's electorate that backs the AfD, the most significant opposition force in the federal parliament. This backlash highlights the deep political polarisation in Germany. The choir’s members now find themselves at the forefront of a contentious debate about freedom of speech and the limits of political protest.

Image Credit - Daily Sabah

Responding to the Critics

The singers have had to grapple with their new-found prominence and the responsibilities that come with it. One member stated that any characterization of them as merely "hysterical women" is misguided. She described the group's approach as "humorously disruptive" and "peaceful." The choir's actions have placed them in a position where they must navigate both praise and hostility. They maintain their focus on their core mission, using their collective voice to advocate for a more inclusive and just society.

A Platform for Debate

The incident has prompted a wider discussion about political platforms. A member of the choir raised a question about precisely who gets a platform and the volume they are permitted. This question lies at the heart of the controversy. The disruption of Weidel's interview has forced a public conversation about how the media and society should engage with extremist political parties. The choir’s intervention, though not originally intended for such a broad audience, has successfully framed this debate in a way that is impossible to ignore.

Bending the Nation's Ear

Ultimately, the members of Corner Chor feel they have achieved something significant. A member stated that the ensemble didn't set out to capture the entire country's attention, but they are pleased with the outcome. The public is now speaking about the AfD in a new context, far beyond the initial interview itself. The choir’s simple, repurposed yodel has become a powerful symbol of creative resistance. It demonstrates how a small group of determined individuals can, sometimes by accident, change the course of a national conversation and give voice to a widespread sentiment of defiance.