some mayors refuse to lower their flags

On the pediment of the town hall of Bourges (Cher), the flags float freely. There is no question of putting them at half mast in tribute to the Queen of England. “The last time I did it was mandatory and it was normal, it was for the death of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing and just before, it was after the assassination of Samuel Paty. So, I think you have to know how to measure things and that you have to reserve this for events that affect the French”believes Yann Galut, the mayor of Bourges.

The chosen one is not the only one to be indignant. Several municipalities in France refuse to lower their flags. Legally, nothing obliges them to do so. The French are divided. “I find that the flag at half mast here is not necessary”, a woman thinks. “It’s a question of respect because France still has a fairly strong link with England”, replies a man. In Toulouse, the mayor has already lowered his flags and denounces a sterile controversy.