While elected officials oppose a bill to install the European flag on the facades of town halls, the text is, in reality, not coercive.
Politics is symbols. Throughout the year, days dedicated to a theme are included in the calendar, punctuating the agenda of the government and parliamentarians. Because who says symbolic date often says linked political action. This Tuesday, May 9, 2023 is no exception. This is Europe Day, to celebrate the birth of the European Economic Community (EEC) on May 9, 1950, the ancestor of the European Union. On this occasion, Mathieu Lefèvre, Renaissance deputy (ex-LREM) of the 5e constituency of Val-de-Marne, tabled a decried bill.
The elected official wishes to impose that the flag of the European Union be installed on the pediment of all the town halls of France. The text has only one article: “The tricolor flag and the European flag are affixed to the facade of each town hall. The European flag used is that adopted in 1955 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.” There is no question of replacing the tricolor since the European flag would be installed next to it, on the left looking at the building. “The national colors hold the place of honor”, provides the text.
Studied this Tuesday in the National Assembly, the bill would not change anything for mayors. The rapporteur conceded this himself since “we have obviously not provided for any sanction in the event of non-compliance with this obligation.” While elected officials on all sides are divided on the issue, it is much more of a symbol than new coercive legislation.