Seventy-six years after the surrender of Nazi Germany, France commemorates the victory of May 8, 1945 and Emmanuel Macron displays its cohesion with the army of which he is the leader.
The President of the Republic spent a long time discussing with the various chiefs of staff gathered in a circle around him, an unusual discussion for a commemoration of May 8.
This interview comes a few days after the publication of a column signed by several hundred soldiers who openly criticize the action of the Head of State, some time before another military column was published in
Valeurs Actuelles
.
To read also: Sanctions against the signatories of the "tribune of the generals"
"
I do not remember having seen such an image
", comments General Pellistrandi, editor-in-chief of the National Defense review, on BFMTV. “
This moment is historic,
explains to
Figaro
Jean Garrigue, historian specializing in the Fifth Republic.
It is a direct response from the military platform
”.
To respond to this forum which points to the ineffectiveness of the Head of State on security issues, Emmanuel Macron, just back from the European summit in Porto in Portugal, chose this republican ritual during which France not only honors the victory of 1945, but also the soldiers who died for France.
With this relaxed discussion, without a minister, from which no word has escaped, Emmanuel Macron is the sole leader, all surrounded by the mystery of confidentiality.
"Through this discussion, Emmanuel Macron marginalizes the military platform"
Jean Garrigue, historian specializing in the Fifth Republic
“
The gesture is much more effective than all the speeches,
comments Jean Garrigue
, if he had spoken, he would have put himself at the same level as the generals.
By this discussion, he places himself above, he exposes the natural link which unites the civil power to the military power and marginalizes the platform
”.
Emmanuel Macron rekindle the flame of the tomb of the unknown soldier.
CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / REUTERS
A little earlier, the Head of State, had stopped in front of the statue of Charles de Gaulle descending the Champs Élysée, built in 2000. He observed a minute of silence while the bell sounded to the dead, in company of the grandson of the general and of the president of the de Gaulle foundation, Hervé Gaymard.
He then joined the triumphal arch, where he rekindled the flame of the unknown soldier, buried under the building, in the company of General Lecointre, chief of staff of the armed forces.
In addition to the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, gathered the President of the Senate, number 2 of the State, Gérard Larcher, the President of the National Assembly, Franck Ferrand, the two former Presidents of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande, as well as the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.
It was only then that the president moved in the company of the Chiefs of Staff, for a discreet discussion, but clearly visible to all.
1/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / REUTERS
2/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / REUTERS
3/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / AFP
4/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / REUTERS
5/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / AFP
6/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. POOL / REUTERS
7/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTOPHE ENA / AFP
8/8 - Commemoration of May 8, 1945. CHRISTOPHE ENA / AFP