A petition has been launched to lower the yellow-blue flag of Ukraine on the town hall. Around 350 people have now voted for it. But the municipality itself is not thinking about removing the flag.
Before the summer, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the municipality planted their national flag on the roof of the town hall. The yellow-blue banner has been flying for four months now. Something that can count on little understanding from a group of people.
A certain Gert has started an action on petitions.nl. The flag has been there for more than 16 weeks. “The position of the municipality has been made and therefore the flag can be lowered,” according to the petition text.
People from Emmen do not identify with those from Ukraine, it continues. “The municipality should work for its own residents and nothing else,” the text continues. In short, that flag has to go and in its place would like to be that of Emmen, Drenthe or the Dutch tricolor, is the final request.
Whether the petition is a success or not, the chances of this happening are slim. “We raised the Ukrainian flag this spring at the outbreak of war to show our support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” a city spokesperson said. “And we will continue to do so as long as the war continues.”
The lowering of the flag was raised earlier this year by the Emmer faction of Forum for Democracy. A motion to this effect was rejected by a large majority.