Macron vows ‘stronger France’
The French president is 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 farright 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.”
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 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.
“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.”
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.
Macron’s second term will formally start May 14.