European flag under the Arc de Triomphe: Clément Beaune defends a “symbolic and temporary initiative” in the face of criticism – Le Monde

A ” provocation “ for Marine Le Pen, a “Contempt” for Eric Zemmour: the temporary installation of the European flag under the Arc de Triomphe to greet the start of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (PFUE) is criticized by the far right and the right, Saturday 1^er January, Valérie Pécresse insisting on an initiative coming back, according to her, to “Erase the French identity”.

“It is a symbolic and temporary initiative, which accompanies the 1^er January and the start of the PFUE ”, replied the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, in a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The European flag will be withdrawn in ” A few days ” and the French flag “Obviously reinstalled”, he clarified. During the last rotating French presidency of the EU, during Nicolas Sarkozy’s tenure in 2008, the European and French flags were hung side by side under the Arc de Triomphe.

Dozens of monuments adorned with blue

The candidate of the National Rally in the presidential election of April 2022, Mr.^me The pen, said himself “Outraged that the French flag has been replaced by that of the European Union under the Arc de Triomphe, above the tomb of the unknown soldier”, denouncing a ” provocation “. The other far-right presidential candidate, Eric Zemmour, also spoke of“Contempt”. “To preside over Europe yes, to erase the French identity no! “, launched for its part the Republican candidate, Valérie Pécresse, who asked “Solemnly” Emmanuel Macron to restore the tricolor next to that of Europe.

“It is absurd to see the right mixing everything up and running desperately after the sterile controversies of the far right”, commented Mr. Beaune. To mark the start of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU, the 1^er January for six months, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated in blue, the color of Europe. Dozens of monuments will also be displayed throughout France during the first week of January.