The Commercial Appeal

Macron inaugurate­d for second term

- Sylvie Corbet

PARIS – President Emmanuel Macron was inaugurate­d for a second term on Saturday, vowing to first take action to avoid any further escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine before going on to focus on promoting France and Europe on the world stage.

Macron was reelected for five years on April 24 in a runoff that saw him beat out 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 “first take action to avoid any escalation following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.”

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.”

Macron also promised to find a “fair method” to govern the country and ease social tensions by making the government and parliament work together with unions, associatio­ns and other people from the political, economic, social and cultural world.

“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 liveable planet and

a more living and stronger France.”

For a president at ease speaking for hours on end, Macron’s speech was surprising­ly short – and handwritte­n. But afterwards, he took his time to shake hands, exchange cheek kisses and chat individual­ly with scores of guests. While he presided over strict lockdowns and coronaviru­s vaccine mandates as the pandemic swept through France, most restrictio­ns have now been lifted and there was no sign of masks or social distancing at the inaugurati­on.

About 500 guests were invited to the ceremony. They came primarily from the world of politics, though also included actors, health care workers, military officers and former Presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.

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, the 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.”

Macron’s second term will formally start on May 14. Macron is expected to appoint soon a new government, ahead of the key parliament­ary election to be held in June. The vote will decide who controls a majority of the 577 seats at 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 over 300 seats at the Assembly.

This past week, long-divided leftwing 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 hitching their wagon to the France Unbowed party of hardleft leader Jean-luc Mélenchon.

 ?? GONZALO FUENTES/POOL VIA AP ?? French President Emmanuel Macron was inaugurate­d for a second term at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Saturday.
GONZALO FUENTES/POOL VIA AP French President Emmanuel Macron was inaugurate­d for a second term at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Saturday.

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