Several newly elected mayors from France’s National Rally party have started taking down EU flags from town halls in the wake of last week’s municipal elections. The party secured 55 new local mandates, expanding its presence in cities across the country, reports Politico.
In Carcassonne, Mayor Christophe Barthes filmed himself removing the EU flag from the town hall balcony and posted the video online, writing: “Out with European flags at town hall! In with French flags.”
In Cagnes-sur-Mer, Mayor Bryan Masson shared a photo of his office decorated with multiple French flags but no EU flag. Carla Muti, mayor of Canohès, also posted a video showing the removal of the European Union flag.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot responded to the flag removal on Tuesday, calling it a “betrayal.” He wrote on X: “This is a betrayal of who we are. The European Union is something France wanted. It’s us — to ensure peace, to preserve our independence in the face of growing pressure from empires, and to assert our own vision of the world.”
Barrot added: “There is no dissolution of national identity in European identity, any more than our local identities fade behind our national identity.”
The Rassemblement National (National Rally) expanded its presence in local governments across the nation recently, winning dozens of mayoralties in towns and smaller municipalities after the second round of municipal voting.
The party strengthened its foothold, especially in southeast and northeast France
