Following right-wing uproar, the EU flag was taken from the Arc de Triomphe.

 

Following criticism from right-wing MPs, a big European Union flag that had been raised at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to commemorate France's assumption of the bloc's presidency has been withdrawn.

Marine Le Pen, a far-right politician, claimed that "changing" the French flag at the monument constituted an attack on the country's identity.

According to a government minister, the relocation was only meant to be temporary.

For the next six months, France will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union.

Ms Le Pen, a presidential candidate in April, had promised to file a protest with the State Council, France's highest court for administrative problems. She hailed the removal of the EU flag as a win.

She characterized the removal of the EU flag as a triumph achieved as a consequence of pressure on the government.

It was dubbed "an atrocity" by far-right independent candidate Eric Zemmour, who is also running against President Emmanuel Macron.

However, European Affairs Minister Clément Beaune denied that the government had caved to far-right pressure, claiming that the flag had been removed as planned.

"The flag was supposed to be brought down this Sunday, but we hadn't set a certain time," he told France Inter radio.

Mr. Macron, who has yet to announce whether he would seek re-election in April, defined the aims of France's EU presidency on Saturday, based on three principles: strengthening European sovereignty, forging a new model of growth, and bringing Europe closer together.