French President Emmanuel Macron commemorates the end of World War II on the nearly empty Champs-Elysées avenue in Paris. Busy roads have been partially closed amid concern protesters have been voicing their displeasure with his pension reforms for several weeks, AFP reported.
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French President Emmanuel Macron commemorates the end of World War II in Paris
| Photo: Profimedia
Macron entered the Champs-Elysées in his car in a convoy of Republican Guard members on horseback and vehicles. The windows were closed in front of only a few dozen spectators. Any gatherings around the classroom are prohibited and the public can only watch the procession from a safe distance. The solemn event was accompanied by strict control.
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“We wanted to meet the president and we are very disappointed. We really don’t understand why there is all this fuss,” said Adrien Prevostot, who and his daughter were no closer than 200 meters to the Champs-Elysées.
Under the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the boulevard, Macron stood before the tomb of the unknown soldier and, according to tradition, relived the flames.
Macron will also visit Lyon
Security measures will also accompany the piet in Lyon, writes AFP. The local prefectural authority in the eastern French city also banned gatherings at places the president was planning to visit, which unions rejected in court.
France has long demonstrated against the pension reform, which, despite harsh criticism, went into effect in mid-April. Since then, the president’s public appearances have been accompanied by protests.
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