France has removed the EU flag at its famous Arc de Triomphe monument over the weekend.
The move came after its placement sparked criticism among right-wing politicians.
French officials said the decision came in accordance with its planned installation, while right-wing politicians called it a victory of their own.
However, far-right politicians said the French flag had been removed and replaced with the European one. A claim strongly was denied by French government officials.
“There was not a French flag that was removed at the Arc de Triomphe. It was not replaced by the European flag,” French European affairs minister Clément Beaune said. However, it was a “bold move” for Europe, he added.
“The European flag was installed where there was nothing,” Beaune explained.
The symbol aimed to mark France’s taking up of the EU Council presidency over the next six months.
Beaune denied that the government’s removal of the EU flag after its installation was a reversal of their policy.
Several French presidential candidates have started their campaigns ahead of the April 2022 election.
Valérie Pécresse, the right-wing presidential candidate, said president Emmanuel Macron had a problem with French history, while far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen hailed a “patriotic victory”.
Left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, meanwhile, said that the government should respect the protocol to always have the EU flag with the French one, denouncing the move as a “communicative whim”.
