It has become the flag of discord: a gigantic sail in the colors of Europe was deployed under the Arc de Triomphe, to celebrate the start of the French presidency of the European Union on January 1, 2022. But the presence of the European flag alone, without the national flag (contrary to the choice made in 2008, during the last French presidency of the EU) moved many Internet users, quickly joined by all the right-wing candidates for the presidential election .
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Read alsoArc de Triomphe: can the European flag fly alone on a public building?
Saturday evening, after a day marked by a lively controversy, the Parisian monument was still adorned with its large European flag, while bright spotlights illuminated the most famous arch in France in the bluish colors of Europe.
But this Sunday morning, Parisians were able to see that the European flag had been withdrawn during the night, as noted by journalist Rémi Godeau, editor-in-chief at
L'Opinion
.
Was it hastily withdrawn given the controversy?
Speaking on this subject, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, said yesterday that the European flag would be withdrawn in
“a few days”
and the French flag
“obviously reinstalled”
, defending a “
symbolic
”
initiative
as well. although "
temporary
".
SEE ALSO -
A gigantic European flag deployed under the triumphal arch to celebrate the French presidency
On Twitter, Marine Le Pen hailed "
a great patriotic victory at the dawn of 2022
", believing that "
the government was forced to withdraw the flag
".
She had announced the day before her intention to file an appeal for annulment and an interim suspension before the Council of State.