After protests by conservative politicians, the flag of the European Union had been removed from the Arc de Triomphe
Conservative rivals of French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU flag underneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was an attack on “French identity,” and was taken down soon after the wave of outrage.
President Emmanuel Macron’s office told French media that the blue flag with 12 golden stars was removed on Sunday “in accordance with the planned schedule.”
Clement Beaune Secretary of State European Affairs also refuted the notion that the move was caused by backlash from conservatives. “I’m proud that this symbol was displayed under the Arc de Triomphe,”He said.
The European flag was placed under the monument on New Year’ Eve to mark the beginning of France’s six-month presidency in the Council of the European Union, one of the bloc’s decision-making bodies. France assumes the position for the first times since 2008. For the occasion, blue lighting was used to illuminate government buildings as well as cultural landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Several right-wing politicians, including Macron’s rivals in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April, said it was disrespectful to place the EU flag instead of the French tricolor on the Arc de Triomphe, a war memorial adjacent to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Valerie Pecresse is a Republican presidential candidate. protestedFor the “erasure of the French identity”The EU flag should be taken down, and they were urged to do so. Marine Le Pen, a former leader of National Rally, was also a candidate. “arrogant contempt for our history.”
Le Pen took down the flag after it was removed. tweetedThe removal of the EU flag from the country was an act of defiance “beautiful patriotic victory at the dawn of 2022,”We are grateful to the “massive mobilization of all those who love France and the Republic.”
Share this story via social media
[ad_2]
