France removes EU flag from Arc de Triomphe after rightwing anger

Official in the French presidency says removal of flag was in line with planned schedule

French authorities have removed the EU flag from the Arc de Triomphe after rightwing opponents of the country's president, Emmanuel Macron, accused him of erasing French identity.

The giant flag was raised in place of the French tricolour on New Year's Eve to mark France's turn at the rotating EU presidency, which it will hold for the next six months.