The announcement quickly sparked a reaction on the benches of the National Assembly a month ago.
The controversial installation of a “Saudi village” on the emblematic site of Les Invalides, in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, was finally refused by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, according to information from Europe 1 confirmed to Le Parisien this Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia will not be able to take up residence there during the 2024 Olympic Games as initially planned.
The Ministry of the Armed Forces confirmed this Tuesday that a letter from the military governor of Paris had reached his Saudi interlocutors to warn them of this change of program and of the ministry's inability to respond positively to their rental request.
The ministry cites in particular “the absence of return” on their part.
Even if the Saudis resume contact with them, the delays would “now be too short to ensure that the place is made available in good conditions”, continues the ministry.
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In February, the ambition was that a Saudi “pavilion” used to welcome the public and present cultural activities would be established on the site of the French armies for four months covering the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, from July 26 to September 8.
The Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, was then favorable to this project which could be of financial interest for the Invalides, since it was a question of significant funding for the Army Museum and the National Institute of the Invalides under the form of sponsorship.
A defused controversy
This proposal quickly caused controversy among right-wing elected officials.
It was MP LR Nathalie Serre, member of the Defense committee in the National Assembly, who was the first to react by confronting the government with its decision, which was then only rumor, in the hemicycle.
“Saudi Arabia, although our ally, raises questions about respect for human rights and in particular those of women and the LGBT community,” declared Nathalie Serre in particular, deeming it “inconceivable that another state can set up its HQ in such a symbolic place which so strongly represents the values of our country and our Republic.
» “Not everything can be sold for money, like Les Invalides, and the State is not for sale,” continued the parliamentarian.
Sébastien Lecornu then responded to the growing controversy by confirming that, if the decision had not yet been made,
Riyadh remained an “important defense partner” of France and at the same time called for “looking sympathetically at the Saudi request which could lead to patrons”.
If it is confirmed that the Saudi pavilion will not take place at Les Invalides, the question now arises as to whether it will be moved to another site.
When requested, the ministry has not yet provided a response on this subject for the moment.