The state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania demands that rainbow flags may also be flown on official buildings in the future. Currently, only the so-called "sovereign flags" are allowed here.
Many members of the SPD, Die Linke, FDP and Die Grünen parties voted for a rethink. In connection with special occasions, it should now also be possible to hoist "non-sovereign" flags. If a decision were made accordingly here, it would be a kind of "caesura" in a sense.
In other federal states, it is already permitted to hang the rainbow flag, for example in front of the city hall, as part of the CSD. In the past, such an approach was criticized especially by the CDU and the AfD.
How do the critics argue?
The fact that many representatives of conservative parties are not enthusiastic about two people of the same sex loving each other, for example, is not new. On the part of the CDU, however, the rejection of rainbow flags in front of public buildings is justified by the fact that it is important to guarantee the neutrality of the state. This is not given by the hoisting of rainbow flags.
In addition, there would be a risk that other stakeholders would then come forward to see their flags on the buildings.
Meanwhile, a possible compromise comes from the FDP. Here one explains to understand the objections of the CDU quite in parts. Therefore, it is important that a regulation for the flagging is created, which limits the possibilities and does not allow just anyone to have his flag in front of a public building.
Decision to be made before the end of 2022
The SPD in particular is enthusiastic that a lot could happen here in the coming months. After all, the coalition agreement recently stated that the focus in the future should be on more tolerance and equal rights.
The decision to now allow non-sovereign flags to be hoisted on public buildings in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania would show how close to reality the whole thing can already be implemented. According to State Interior Minister Christian Pegel, the municipalities in particular are to be given more decision-making power here. Here, those responsible are to decide for themselves which flags may be hoisted at what time and which may not. The plan is to implement the changes before the end of the year.
After all, the poles are "free" on many days of the year anyway. Here it seems difficult to understand why a municipality that wants to hang a rainbow flag, for example, in the context of the CSD, is not allowed to do so. At the same time, the days on which flagging is prescribed by law should continue to be observed. In the rest of the time there should be more flexibility.
What statement is actually associated with the rainbow flag?
With regard to the answer to this question, opinions differ. And this could be the reason why many people have different opinions when it comes to deciding whether rainbow flags on public buildings are "okay" or not. Because: Some see in the rainbow a symbol that has become political in the meantime. This is not neutral for them and accordingly out of place in front of a public building.
However, some see in the rainbow flag the demand for more tolerance and equality. Accordingly, it makes no sense for them to dispense with this important message - especially on public buildings. Now it remains to be seen whether the municipalities in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will be granted more autonomy in this context in the future.
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