As Germans have been making a bee line for lakes and pools to seek respite from the sweltering heatwave gripping Europe, a group of Munich’s topless women sunbathing on the banks of Isar River over the weekend were accosted by security guards, Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.
The affronted women were ordered to cover up their breasts, while other sunbathers were outraged at the clampdown and discarded their bikini tops, baring their breasts in solidarity.
Whether it was the divisive matter of nudity itself, or the soaring temperatures adding to the torment, but passions flared to such a degree that the issue is now being debated by political parties.
While city dwellers, overwhelmed by the stifling heat, and piqued social media users were divided over the issue, the Green Party took the issue to Munich’s city council.
The Greens’ Dominik Krause insisted:
“It’s incomprehensible if men can lie in the sun topless but not women.”
On the opposing side of the nudity debate, the Christian Social Union (CSU) introduced an urgent motion Wednesday calling for the bathing costume statutes of Munich to be reviewed “to the effect that bathing costumes must completely cover” the breasts and genitals.
Germany allows nudity only in designated areas, of which there are six in Munich, while the rest of the city falls under an ordinance on naked swimming that requires people to wear swimwear.
The nudity issue soon took centre stage on Twitter, with locals complaining they thought Munich “stood for tolerance”. Many said they were disgusted that women were not allowed to go topless in the extreme heat, and some derided Germany for having becoming too ‘prudish’.
When did Germans become prudes? I worked there for 2 years about 20 yrs ago and on my walks always came across naked people sunbathing. Also from the office window we could see people walking around their gardens nude.
— Daz (@DazSanddancer) June 26, 2019
Note to Men:
— FOP30 (@SOPage30) June 26, 2019
Breasts are not 'sex organs.'
Lol people acting like heat never happens
— Bapkins (@ChugMySox) June 26, 2019
Since 20 years there was and is ongoing a huge influx of non European young muslim men in Germany, Bavaria and Munich which is detrimental to the former "Weltstadt mit Herz".
— gabrovitcs (@gabrovitcs) June 27, 2019
We love nudism. This is Europe. If anyone doesn't like it, can leave and go to muslim countries, where they like to cover women from head to nails.
— Sofianopoulos Pan (@SofianopoulosPa) June 27, 2019
Not prudish, It's called common decency. Put your clothes on women .
— teresahuckabee3@gmail.com (@teresahuckabee1) June 27, 2019