Praise for Vichy leader angers Jewish groups

President Emmanuel Macron has angered Jewish groups by praising Philippe Petain, the World War I commander who later led the Vichy government that collaborated with the Nazis. Recent presidents have avoided paying tribute to Petain but in Paris on Sunday Macron will honour him and seven others who were given the title of marshal for their service in the Great War. Yesterday Macron said: ‘‘I consider it entirely legitimate that we pay homage to the marshals who led our army to victory. He was a great soldier in the First World War. That’s a reality.’’