Editing Flag of Luxembourg (section)

==Flag change debate==
{{Main|Roude Léiw#2006 initiative to introduce the Roude Léiw as national flag}}
[[File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg|200px|thumb|left|Flag of the Netherlands]]
The resemblance of the Luxembourgish flag with the [[Flag of the Netherlands|Dutch flag]] has given rise to a national debate to change it.

On 5 October 2006, [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Michel Wolter]] introduced a legislative proposition<ref>[http://initiativ-roudeleiw.lu/index.php?page=2 Initiativ Roude Léiw – de Roude Léiw als Fändel fir Lëtzebuerg – Proposition de loi – luxembourg luxemburg drapeau gesetz<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805203710/http://www.initiativ-roudeleiw.lu/index.php?page=2 |date=5 August 2007 }}</ref> to replace the current red-white-blue national flag with the red lion ensign. He argued that the current flag was commonly confused with that of the [[Flag of the Netherlands|Netherlands]] and that the red lion on the other hand was more popular, more aesthetic and of greater historic value. Wolter also claimed he had personally discussed the matter with some three hundred people, most of whom expressed their support for his initiative. On the other hand, many national politicians (including leading members of Wolter's own [[Christian Social People's Party|CSV]]){{Who|date=January 2010}} and VIPs{{Who|date=January 2010}} have expressed astonishment in the local media concerning both the timing and necessity for such a change.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Wolter was supported in his initiative by the [[Alternative Democratic Reform Party|ADR]].

On 24 October 2006, a local initiative called ''Initiativ Roude Léiw'' ("Red Lion Initiative") held a press conference explaining their intention to support Wolter's project on a non-partisan basis.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Their first actions would include distribution of red lion bumper stickers, a petition and a poll. During sporting events like the [[Tour de France]] supporters for Luxembourg participants now overwhelmingly use the Ensign instead of the Flag.

In end of July 2015, a Luxembourger Marc Dax submitted a formal petition to the [[Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg)|Chamber of Deputies]] to replace the current national flag with the ''Roude Léiw''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://luxtimes.lu/archives/10515-change-the-luxembourg-flag|title=Change the Luxembourg flag?|website=luxtimes.lu|date=11 December 2017|access-date=Jan 11, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chd.lu/wps/portal/public/PetitionDetail?action=doPetitionDetail&id=510|title=Chambre des Députés du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg|website=www.chd.lu|access-date=Jan 11, 2021}}</ref> It received a little less than 500 signatures.

[[Partitions of Luxembourg|For historical reasons]], the adjacent [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|Belgian province of Luxembourg]] uses a flag that also features a [[Lion (heraldry)|lion]] superimposed on [[Bar (heraldry)|horizontal stripes]]. Elsewhere, similar designs can also be found, for instance in the Belgian city of [[Bruges]] and the [[German state]] of [[Hesse]].

=== Two civil official flags ===
On 6 July 2007, the Government stated that the ''Roude Léiw'' would be accepted as a Civil flag only within the territory of the Grand-Duchy along with the National flag keeping the same proportions, i.e. 1:2 or 3:5 as the National flag to avoid confusion with the Civil ensign.<ref>[http://www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/conseils_de_gouvernement/2007/07/06conseil/index.html#1 Proposition de loi N°5617 du député Michel Wolter (CSV) portant modification de la loi du 23 juin 1972 sur les emblèmes nationaux] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325205950/http://www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/conseils_de_gouvernement/2007/07/06conseil/index.html#1 |date=2010-03-25 }}, ''Gouvernement du Luxembourg'', 17 October 2012</ref>
The Luxembourg flag is prominently displayed during national celebrations, particularly on National Day, observed on 23 June. This date was established in 1962 to replace the original 23 January, the birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte, in order to hold festivities in more favourable summer weather. On this day, flags are flown throughout the country, including at the Monument of Remembrance in Luxembourg City. During periods of national mourning, such as after the death of Grand Duke Jean in 2000, the flag is flown at half-mast.<ref>[https://luxtoday.lu/en/knowledge/luxembourg-flag-meaning Luxtoday.lu – Everything explained about the official flags of Luxembourg]. Retrieved 21 April 2025.</ref>