France removes European flag from Arc de Triomphe after backlash from conservative groups

"Acts Insulting Veterans" Backlash
Displayed for EU Presidency Commemoration, Then Removed

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] France raised the European Union (EU) flag on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to commemorate the start of its 2022 EU Council Presidency but removed it following backlash from the right-wing camp.

According to AFP on the 2nd (local time), the EU flag that was raised on the Arc de Triomphe on the 31st of last month was taken down on the 2nd. The ?lys?e Palace explained that the EU flag was originally planned to be displayed only for two days, from the 31st of last month to the 1st, but the removal is interpreted as a response to conservative opposition.

Earlier, the French government raised the EU flag on the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate France’s EU Council Presidency from January 1 to June 31, 2022, but immediately faced backlash from the conservative camp. Val?rie P?cresse, the confirmed presidential candidate of the right-wing party Les R?publicains (LR) and Governor of ?le-de-France, posted on Twitter the day before, saying, "The European flag should be taken down and the Tricolor raised," adding, "We owe a debt to the soldiers who sacrificed for France."

The Arc de Triomphe is recognized as a monument honoring French war veterans, and raising the European flag there instead of the French flag was criticized mainly by conservatives as an act that insults the veterans. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally (RN), and ?ric Zemmour, founder of the party Reconqu?te and a far-right candidate aiming for the presidency, also jointly criticized President Macron.

Le Pen threatened to sue President Macron at the Conseil d'?tat, France’s highest administrative court, while Zemmour claimed that President Macron had insulted France. Cl?ment Beaune, France’s Secretary of State for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly responded in an interview with France Inter radio, stating, "Embracing Europe does not erase France’s identity."

Meanwhile, although the French government removed the EU flag, it announced plans to illuminate major Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Panth?on, and Les Invalides in blue lighting for the remaining week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.