POLÉMIC- The right and the far right have denounced the choice to withdraw the tricolor to celebrate the presidency of the EU by France. The device is “in place for a few days,” said the Secretary of State for European Affairs.
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The Arc de Triomphe again in controversy. To celebrate the French presidency of the European Union which begins on January 1, and for six months, the Élysée has replaced the tricolor with the European one. But unlike 2008 when the flags were fluttering together, this time only the one with the twelve stars has been hovering above the tomb of the Unknown Soldier since Friday, December 31.
“Outrage”, “provocation” …
A gesture that did not please the far right and part of the right. On Twitter, Marine Le Pen is the first to be moved. The candidate of the National Rally said she was “outraged” by this “provocation”, who according to her, “offends those who fought for France”. This Saturday afternoon, she indicated to file an appeal for annulment and a request for suspension of the presidential decision before the Council of State.
For his part, his competitor Eric Zemmour lamented “an outrage”.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, also a contender for the Élysée, described Emmanuel Macron as “profaner who tramples our colors”. Later in the evening, the Republican candidate Valérie Pécresse, who elbows with the President of the Republic in the polls, also expressed her criticism: “To preside over Europe yes, to erase the French identity no!”
All have asked that the tricolor be reinstalled. “It will obviously be. It is a symbolic and temporary initiative, which accompanies January 1 and the start of the French presidency of the Council of the European Union”, replied the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clement Beaune. The Minister denounces, on the contrary, “sterile controversies”, reproaching Valérie Pécresse for “run after” the extreme right.
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According to government sources at TF1 and LCI, the European flag will be withdrawn at the start of the week. There will then be nothing, as usual at the Arc de Triomphe, apart from the major ceremonies. The two banners – French and European – could be put back together in the second part of next week, on the occasion of the visit to Paris of the European commissioners.
To mark the start of this new French presidency, other celebrations took place this Friday, such as the illumination in blue – the color of Europe – of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Capitol in Toulouse.
Dozens of monuments will also be brought to life throughout France during the first week of January.