Controversy after the appearance of the European flag under the Arc de Triomphe

At the dawn of 2022, political leaders didn’t appear to prioritize conflict resolution. To commemorate France’s assumption of the rotating European Union presidency—an event occurring only every 13 years in the 27-member bloc—the EU flag was prominently displayed beneath the Arc de Triomphe on January 1st. [[1]]

This symbol also graced the Élysée Palace and the Eiffel Tower on New Year’s Eve, following Emmanuel Macron’s address.

This action sparked dissent among some politicians. Marine Le Pen, the RN candidate, interpreted the imagery as a deceptive display of Macron’s alleged French patriotism. Marine Le Pen’s Twitter post

“Outrage,” “disgrace”

Valérie Pécresse and Éric Zemmour criticized the sole display of the European flag at the Arc de Triomphe. Pécresse tweeted her disapproval, urging the restoration of the French tricolor alongside the European flag. She emphasized the importance of honoring the sacrifices of French soldiers.

Supporting Europe, yes; obliterating French identity, no! I formally request that Emmanuel Macron reinstate our tricolor alongside the European flag beneath the Arc de Triomphe. We owe this to the soldiers who fought for our nation. pic.twitter.com/4tQAGwZKmg

– Valérie Pécresse (@vpecresse) <

President of the Council of the European Union

## France’s 2022 EU Presidency: A Missed Opportunity for Conflict Resolution?

At the start of 2022, as France took on the rotating presidency of the European Union, a sobering reality set in: the political will for conflict resolution seemed conspicuously absent. The EU’s leadership, at that point, appeared less focused on proactive peacemaking and significantly more reactive to escalating crises.

At the dawn of 2022, political leaders didn’t appear to prioritize conflict resolution. To commemorate France’s assumption of the rotating European Union presidency—an event occ…

This is a particularly poignant observation given the EU’s structure and the role of the rotating presidency.

The EU Presidency, a six-month rotating position held by different member states [[1]], [[2]], is intended to provide leadership and guide the Council of the European Union’s agenda. France, inheriting the presidency at a crucial moment characterized by geopolitical instability and simmering conflicts, had the opportunity to shape the EU’s response. However, the initial lack of focus on conflict resolution raises questions about the effectiveness of the system and the priorities of the member states at the time.

It is important to distinguish between the rotating EU Presidency and the President of the European Council. The latter, a permanent position [[3]], holds a different, more strategic role, focusing on long-term EU goals, while the rotating presidency has a more immediate, six-month focus on the Council’s agenda.

While the provided text snippet only hints at the prevailing attitudes, it suggests a potentially missed opportunity. France, known for its diplomatic prowess and its long-standing commitment to multilateral initiatives including conflict resolution, should have actively prioritized conflict prevention and mediation. The absence of such a prioritization, as suggested by the article excerpt, raises questions about whether the system of the rotating presidency is truly effective in responding to rapidly changing geopolitical landscapes and whether the EU’s collective approach to conflict resolution needs reevaluation. Further analysis is needed to understand the specific reasons behind the perceived lack of emphasis on conflict resolution during the French presidency in 2022. Further investigation into the specific actions taken (or not taken) by France during its 2022 presidency is critical to gaining a complete picture.

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