Several mayors affiliated with France’s far-right National Rally party have removed the European Union flag from their municipal buildings, triggering political controversy.

Carcassonne mayor Christophe Barthès posted on X shortly after taking office, saying: “Down with the EU flag, let the French flag replace it,” sharing a video of himself removing the flag.

Similarly, the mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer published a photo of the town hall without the EU flag, while the mayor of Harnes in northern France had already removed both the EU and Ukrainian flags upon taking office on March 24.

The move has been supported by party leaders but criticized by the French government as “populist,” reflecting broader political tensions over the EU.