In Høje-Taastrup Municipality, the Ukrainian flag has been removed from the town hall due to the rules of political neutrality in connection with the upcoming European Parliament elections. As of Monday, when it became possible to vote by mail, it is no longer allowed to fly national or international flags that can be perceived as politically biased. The Ministry of Interior and Health has clarified in their election guidance that flying, for example, the Ukrainian flag may be in violation of the law, as it is not considered politically neutral.
“The election officials are responsible for ensuring that there is no electioneering or other forms of opinion influence in or near the polling stations,” the guidance states. Mayor of Høje-Taastrup, Michael Ziegler (Conservative Party), has explained on Facebook that the town hall, which serves as a polling place, will therefore no longer fly the Ukrainian flag. “It is important that we adhere to the rules so that everyone feels that the election is conducted fairly and neutrally,” he writes.
The municipality had been flying the Ukrainian flag daily since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 as a sign of solidarity. Similarly, according to the election guidance, it is not allowed to fly the EU flag at polling stations, and election workers are not allowed to wear symbols or pins representing specific flags or political goals, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The election for the European Parliament will take place on June 9th in Denmark, where voters will have the opportunity to vote for their representatives in the European political landscape.