The government proposes to ban foreign flags
In a new bill that has been put out for consultation, the government wishes to reintroduce the ban on flying foreign flags in Denmark. Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard (Social Democrats) emphasizes the importance of the Danish flag, known as Dannebrog, as a central national symbol and argues that the Danish flag should have a special status. “Dannebrog is the most important national symbol we have in Denmark. A symbol that unites the Danes as a people. The government believes that Dannebrog should enjoy a very special status in Denmark,” Hummelgaard stated in a press release. He added that there should be restrictions on flying flags from other countries, a practice that has been in place for over 100 years.
The decision to reintroduce the ban follows a Supreme Court ruling from June 2023. The ruling concluded that it was legal for Martin Hedegård from Kolding to hoist the American flag on his flagpole, which raised questions about the existing legislation. The previous regulation was repealed as there was a lack of the necessary legal basis to maintain the ban.
The Danish Parliament already voted in March of this year in favor of a resolution to reintroduce the ban on foreign flags. According to the new bill, it will be permitted to fly flags from Denmark’s Nordic neighbors as well as from Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Germany. Additionally, flags representing international or regional organizations will not be subject to the ban.
Pia Kjærsgaard (Danish People’s Party), spokesperson on values, has expressed concern over the permission to fly the German flag, especially in tourist areas along the west coast of Jutland. “There are a lot of Germans who rent summer homes along the west coast of Jutland, and I don’t think it would be very good to see too many German flags waving. I don’t understand that at all,” she said, noting that this was not part of the original resolution.
The Minister of Justice also states that in extraordinary situations, exemptions from the ban can be granted, for example for the Ukrainian flag. The bill will only apply to flagpoles, and the use of flags in demonstrations or sporting events will still be allowed.
The bill is expected to come into effect in 2025.