Emmanuel Macron Changes French Flag Without Announcing It To Public

France's president Emmanuel Macron has unexpectedly changed the blue colour on the country's flag.

The 43-year-old leader quietly introduced the new shade of blue - which is said to be darker than the original - and up to now no one really knew why for definite.

But now a member of Macron's administration team told French local media that there were a number of reasons.

PETER HUGGINS/Alamy Stock Photo

First of all, the member of staff said: "There are aesthetic reasons, this blue is more elegant," but they also said that the 'very political' decision was made 'to revive a symbol of the French Revolution'.

The country has used different shades of blue for decades. The navy and many official buildings opt for the colour navy, but the French state introduced a lighter shade to match the EU flag in 1976, according to Sky News.

The member of staff stressed tthe move hasn't been made as an anti-European Union gesture though.

Presidential aides have remained adamant that the move is not what they refer to as a 'blue war', adding that any suggestions it is are 'nonsense'.

Stephen Chapman/Alamy Stock Photo

Apparently the change was made all the way back on 13 July 2020 however, none of the French institutions have been ordered to change their flags.

The BBC reports there was some disagreement over the change back to navy blue with some people arguing the new shade was ugly and would clash with the EU flag - others however craved for the nostalgic shade to make a comeback.

Europe 1's political correspondent Louis de Raguenel wrote about the move, saying: "No communication was made on this change of colour, no instructions were given to change or not all the official flags, the Élysée Palace affirms that the approach is an incentive.

"Emmanuel Macron's entourage has no desire to give the image of a president who touches the deepest symbols of the country, even if deep down, as you might imagine, there is a meaning behind it all."

Commenting on Twitter, one French national wrote: "As usual, he decides everything on his own. The French flag does not belong to him personally."

Another added: "Even if it does not matter, we should have been informed. He touches a symbol without asking anything of anyone."

Topics: France

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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