French authorities removed a giant European Union flag attached to the Arc de Triomphe after right-wing opponents of President Emmanuel Macron accused him of “erasing” French identity from the monument.

The flag was displayed in place of the French tricolour on New Year’s Eve to mark France’s turn at rotating EU presidency, which will last for the next six months. According to the French government, the move was meant to be temporary.

Marine Le Pen, the Far-right leader said “replacing” the French flag at the monument— to honour those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars—was an attack on the country’s identity. She claimed victory after the removal of the flag and tweeted that her party’s “massive mobilization” forced Macron to take down the flag.

Eric Zemmour, the controversial far-right candidate who is also running against President Emmanuel Macron, called it an “outrage” in a tweet.

Valerie Pecresse, the conservative candidate, tweeted: Preside over Europe yes, erase French identity no! Pecresse, representing the Republican party, is likely to the main challenger to Macron in the upcoming national election. She added, “"We owe it to our soldiers who spilled their blood for it."

A French official attached to the President’s office, however, said that the flag was intended to be displayed just for two days and was removed following a planned schedule.

Macron, who has not said whether he will run for re-election as French President, has stressed France’s important role in strengthening European sovereignty and developing a new model of growth with strong border protection.

According to his office, other prominent landmarks – such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral—in Paris and other French cities will be lit up in blue for a few days to highlight France’s EU presidency.

READ MORE:

https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/03/france-removes-eu-flag-at-arc-de-triomphe-after-sparking-criticism

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/02/france-removes-eu-flag-arc-de-triomphe-rightwing-anger

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59852577