It was a few square centimeters of fabric that sparked a controversy. Or rather their absence. To celebrate the French presidency of the European Union, which begins on January 1, the Elysee has temporarily removed the tricolor from the Arc de Triomphe, below which it normally appears, to replace it with the European flag. Only the flag of the 27 has been floating like this since Friday, December 31.
During the last French presidency of the EU, in 2008, the Elysee Palace decided that the two flags, French and European, would fly together under the Arc de Triomphe throughout the period.
Other celebrations took place on Friday, such as the blue illumination of many French monuments such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Capitol in Toulouse. In his Best wishes to the French, Emmanuel Macron also insisted on the strength of the European Union. “Notre Europe is the only way by which France will be stronger in the face of the clashes of the world and the great powers”, he notably launched.
Insensitive to the gesture, the far right and part of the right strongly condemned the temporary disappearance of the French flag under the Arc de Triomphe. The presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, said so “outraged” by this “provocation” who, according to her, “offends those who fought for France”, since the two flags fly above the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
I am outraged that the French flag has been replaced by that of the European Union under the Arc de Triomphe, above the tomb of the unknown soldier.
This provocation offends those who fought for France. I ask E. Macron to restore our national flag. pic.twitter.com/sR2IfjV3sG
– Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) December 31, 2021
His competitor Eric Zemmour then deplored a “contempt”.
The Arc de Triomphe under Macron: after the sacking and packaging, the outrage. pic.twitter.com/0fLIOBSdO6
– Eric Zemmour (@ZemmourEric) December 31, 2021
While Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, also candidate for the suffrage of the French, considered that Emmanuel Macron was a “profaner”.
“Tonight, the European flag flies under the Arc de Triomphe instead of the French flag! Emmanuel Macron is a profaner who tramples on our national colors! I will never forgive him for that! “
– N. Dupont-Aignan (@dupontaignan) December 31, 2021
It was then the Republican candidate, Valérie Pécresse, who reacted. “Presiding over Europe, yes, erasing the French identity, no!”, she tweeted.
Presiding over Europe yes, erasing French identity no! I solemnly ask Emmanuel Macron to restore our tricolor flag next to that of Europe under the Arc de Triomphe. We owe it to all our fighters who shed their blood for him. pic.twitter.com/4tQAGwZKmg
– Valérie Pécresse (@vpecresse) December 31, 2021
Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, then provided details on BFMTV, ensuring that this device was “in place for a few days”, and “the French flag will be[it] obviously reinstalled afterwards, without the European flag “. LThe reactions to this choice constitute “a ridiculous controversy”, according to him.