PARIS (AP) - A French politician has sparked controversy by calling for the return of the Statue of Liberty to France. Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and co-president of a left-wing party in France, voiced his sentiments during a speech, claiming that the United States no longer deserves the iconic monument. This assertion comes as a reaction to the perceived declines in American values under President Donald Trump's administration.
During his speech, Glucksmann remarked, "Give us back the Statue of Liberty." His comments were met with applause and cheers from his party supporters. He went on to suggest that the United States has "despised" the statue that was gifted by France to symbolize friendship between the two nations, implying that "she will be happy here with us" in France.
However, despite the provocative statement, it is highly unlikely that France can reclaim the statue. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which lists the statue as a World Heritage site, confirms that the monument is U.S. government property. The statue was originally intended to commemorate the centenary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but various historical events delayed its construction and unveiling in 1886.
The process to erect the statue was complex, involving funding efforts where France covered the cost of the statue while Americans financed its pedestal. The statue was transported in 350 pieces from France and ceremoniously unveiled on October 28, 1886.
Glucksmann's comments are not reflective of the official stance of the French government, which is unlikely to endorse such a drastic proposition. French President Emmanuel Macron is currently attempting to navigate a complex relationship with Trump, balancing cooperation on various issues while also expressing criticism, particularly regarding Trump’s tariff hikes and other controversial policies.
While Macron has maintained a diplomatic approach, the French political landscape includes voices like that of Prime Minister François Bayrou, who has actively criticized the Trump administration for its decisions with potential repercussions in international relations, especially concerning Ukraine. Bayrou labeled Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "brutal" and cautioned against actions that could benefit Russia.
Glucksmann’s party has taken a stronger stance, labeling Trump’s governing style as "authoritarian" and accusing him of hastening Ukraine's vulnerability to Russia's advances. In his speech, Glucksmann evoked the words of poet Emma Lazarus, who depicted the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of hope for "the huddled masses yearning to breathe free." He lamented that the essence of America is changing, positing that "today, this land is ceasing to be what it was."
