Union Flags ban for public spaces

WAVING or displaying foreign flags in France could become an offence if an amendment is passed by MPs.

A bill originally targeting the waving or display of non-French flags at mairies in France, particularly at weddings, has had an amendment added to make it an offence to wave such flags in public.

The new amendment, proposed on March 30, by MP Guy Teissier would "regulate the use of foreign flags in French public spaces by demanding prior permission".

According to news site rue89.com Mr Teissier said: "A certain number of people, be they French, foreigners or not, during a diverse range of occasions – national holidays, protests – or in their daily lives, wave the flags of their country of origin."
He added this was "provocation against the principles of the French republic".

If the amendment is voted through, waving a foreign flag in public without prior permission could be punishable by a fine of up to €1,500.

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