France’s Macron inaugurated for a second five-year term
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron was inaugurated for a second term Saturday, vowing to first take action to avoid further escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine before focusing on promoting France and Europe on the world stage.
Macron was reelected for five years on April 24 in a runoff that saw him beat far-right rival Marine Le Pen.
“The time ahead will be that of resolute action for France and for Europe,†Macron said. He promised to “take action to avoid any escalation following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.â€
Macron vowed to “take action relentlessly with a goal, which is to be a more independent nation, to live better and to build our own French and European responses to the century’s challenges.â€
Macron also promised to find a “fair method†to govern the country and ease social tensions by making the government and Parliament work together with unions, associations and other groups across the political spectrum.
Macron acknowledged that “numerous†voters cast ballots for him simply to keep out the fiercely nationalist far-right Marine Le Pen
“I will have only one compass: serving,†Macron said, concluding his speech. “Serving our country ... serving our fellow citizens ... serving our children and our youth ... to whom I pledge to hand down a more livable planet and a more living and stronger France.â€
For a president at ease speaking for hours on end, Macron’s speech was surprisingly short — and handwritten. But afterward, he took time to shake hands, exchange cheek kisses and chat individually with scores of guests.
While he presided over public health lockdowns and vaccine mandates as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through France, most restrictions have now been lifted and there was no sign of masks or social distancing at the inauguration.
The event seemed unusually child-friendly for French presidential ceremonies, with several dignitaries bringing their children — and at least two in baby strollers. Macron, 44, has no children of his own but has stepchildren and grandchildren, some of whom were there.
At his arrival in the reception hall of the Elysee Palace, Macron winked at his wife, Brigitte Macron.
About 500 guests were invited to the ceremony. They came primarily from the world of politics, though also included actors, healthcare workers, military officers and former Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. Most of those who received a coveted invite to the event were white men in suits, despite a growing push for diversity in French politics.
Hollande, a socialist who ran France from 2012 to 2017, said, “I think there will be considerable hardship,†listing the war in Ukraine, rising prices, decreasing purchasing power and climate-related issues.
“It means the responses will need to be up to the challenges,†he said.
Hollande noted Macron’s message that he will seek new methods to govern as a good point, “not only because it will be a very difficult period, but also because France is very divided.â€
Long-divided left-wing parties in France will march into forthcoming legislative elections largely together, after the Socialist Party voted to join a nascent coalition behind hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
The president of the Constitutional Council read out the results of the election and Macron was given the necklace of Grand Master of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest distinction, before making his speech.
He then went to the gardens of the Elysee Palace and listened to 21 cannon shots being fired from the Invalides plaza to mark the event, in line with tradition.
Macron also reviewed the military. Troops present at the ceremony included part of the crew of the Monge, the French navy’s second-biggest ship that is key to the nation’s nuclear deterrent. It was notably used for the tests of France’s nuclear-capable submarine-launched M51 missiles.
The symbol can be seen as a show of force at a time when France is deeply involved in efforts to stop Russia’s war against Ukraine, including sending truck-mounted cannons and other heavy weapons.
Macron’s second term will formally start May 14.
Macron is expected to appoint a new government before the key parliamentary election to be held in June. The vote will decide who controls a majority of the 577 seats in the National Assembly.
Macron hopes his party and centrist allies will be able to win big in the wake of the presidential election. They currently hold more than 300 seats.
This week, long-divided left-wing parties agreed to join forces in a new coalition in efforts to counter Macron’s strategy and seek victory in the parliamentary election. The Socialist Party joined the Greens and the Communist Party in hooking their wagon to the France Unbowed party of hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
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