Christophe Barthès, newly elected mayor of Carcassonne for Rassemblement national, removed the European Union flag from the town hall facade on Sunday, March 29. In a video posted on X, he folds the flag while writing: «Dehors les drapeaux européens à la mairie ! Place aux drapeaux français».
Christophe Barthès was elected mayor of Carcassonne in the second round of the municipal council on Sunday, with 40.40% of the votes. He beat François Mourad from the Divers droite list (30.84%) and Alix Soler-Alcaraz from the left-wing union (28.75%), shifting the town hall to Rassemblement national.
Shortly after his election, Barthès posted a video on X showing him removing and folding the EU flag from the town hall facade. Accompanied by the message: «Dehors les drapeaux européens à la mairie ! Place aux drapeaux français», followed by a tricolor flag emoji, the act highlights his preference for national symbols.
Under the 2019 Engagement et proximité law, only the French tricolor flag is required in front of town halls. The EU flag is mandatory only on May 9, Europe Day, for municipalities with more than 1,500 inhabitants. A 2023 bill to require both flags did not pass the Senate.