Shweta Desai
03 January 2022•Update: 04 January 2022
PARIS
Under fire from right-wing political parties, France’s government on Sunday removed a large European flag at a major Paris landmark meant to celebrate the French presidency of the European Union.
The flag at the iconic Arc de Triomphe – along with similar displays at the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum – marked France taking over the EU presidency on Jan. 1, but the Euroskeptic opposition has pushed for a “Frexit” and flouting EU laws, and may cause trouble in looming presidential elections.
The controversy less than 100 days from the elections – whose first round is set for April 10 – was sparked after several right-wing leaders and presidential candidates expressed outrage, accusing the Emmanuel Macron government of erasing French identity and contempt for veterans, whose names are inscribed at the arc.
Although Macron has yet to officially announce he is seeking a second term as the nation’s president, France’s six-month turn at the EU Council helm is likely to be a campaign issue and provide fodder for his opponents.
After saying she would take the flag issue to court, far-right leader Marine Le Pen called the flag’s weekend removal a “great patriotic victory.”
Junior European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune, who earlier claimed the flag would remain for several days after it was first raised on Dec. 31, said it was removed according to plan and denied the government had buckled under political pressure. Speaking to FranceInter news, he blamed the controversy on “fake patriots.”
The other EU displays in the capital will remain, he added.
