France visit of King Charles was postponed due to pension protests.
King Charles III’s state visit to France has been postponed at President Emmanuel Macron’s request, according to Downing Street.
After unions announced a day of pension protests during the visit, the president remarked that “we would not be sensible and would lack common sense” to go forward.
The tour was scheduled to start on Sunday with stops in Paris and Bordeaux.
Yet on Thursday, there was violence in both cities, some of the worst since the protests started in January.
The three-day visit by Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, was postponed, according to Buckingham Palace, because of the “situation in France.”
As soon as dates are determined, the statement continued, “Their Majesties warmly anticipate the opportunity to visit France.”
The King and Camilla should not go, according to President Macron, who felt this way as soon as unions announced a 10th national day of action for Tuesday, two days into the state visit.
“Because we have a great deal of friendship, respect, and admiration for His Majesty, the Queen Consort, and the British people, I decided to telephone [the King] this morning to explain the circumstance. We suggested a postponement since it made sense and was friendly.”
The decision, according to the UK government, “was adopted with the cooperation of all parties.” When things “calm down again,” according to Mr. Macron, France had suggested shifting the trip to early summer. For France and President Macron, the choice represents a serious loss of face. This event was planned to be a showcase for France, presenting the new king to the best aspects of French culture and fortifying a recently rekindled bond.
The president’s detractors on the left and right responded quickly.
The cancellation, according to Republican Eric Ciotti, “brought shame on our country,” while Jean-Luc Mélenchon, of the extreme left, expressed relief that the “meeting of kings at Versailles” had been called off and claimed that “the English” were aware of how “pathetic” France’s interior minister was on security.
The journey was not feasible due to the demonstrations. On the fringes of Thursday’s generally peaceful demonstrations, which drew over a million participants, violence broke out in a number of French cities.
A fire was started at Bordeaux’s municipal hall’s entrance. In Paris, where garbage hasn’t been picked up since March 6, tear gas was fired, and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin reported 903 fires were started.
While hundreds of police officers suffered injuries throughout France, stun grenades harmed protestors, and the Council of Europe declared that “excessive force” by the government was not justified.
Shown are: French protests feature trash and burning.
While giving a TV interview, Macron removes his “luxury” watch.
French officials worked to convince the public for much of Friday morning that the state visit, scheduled for March 26 to 29, would go forward and that security was in place. A few UK reporters had already made the trip to Paris to cover the occasion.
A first state visit to one of the UK’s closest and earliest allies, this was a very significant journey for the King. The King and Camilla were scheduled to ride into the heart of Paris down the Champs-Elysées before attending a meal at Versailles with President Macron.
In one of the major Paris attractions, the Musée d’Orsay, Camilla was scheduled to inaugurate an art exhibition. Then they were supposed to go to Bordeaux.
But, the visit was in danger of being disrupted at every turn, and it was ultimately called off. Even those who lay out the crimson carpets were considering taking strike action.
There are “no known threats” against the King, Interior Minister Mr. Darmanin earlier on Friday stated. The visit to Bordeaux has been modified, according to Bordeaux Mayor Pierre Hurmic, “so that it can go forward under the best protection, so as not to expose the King to any difficulties at all.”
Yet when faced with the idea of leading the King through trash- and graffiti-filled streets, with every public appearance surrounded by security, and every move threatened by strikes, the French president took the obvious decision.
Although he was the one under pressure, the UK government may have participated in the decision-making process. The trip to Bordeaux, which was supposed to focus on organic vineyards, was a complete failure. The town hall, whose entrance was set ablaze on Thursday, was scheduled to be visited.
The president would have had poor domestic reception from the image. Eating with a king in Versailles would have been shockingly inappropriate and might have given his critics too much ammunition.
When President Macron presented the government’s reforms as an economic necessity and said he was willing to endure the resultant unpopularity in a TV interview on the eve of Thursday’s national action, it appeared to incite demonstrators.
His administration made the decision on Monday to push through the reforms, which will raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 and increase employee contributions to 43 years.
In order to avoid a vote, the president and prime minister used a constitutional provision after realizing they would have difficulty getting the measure passed by the National Assembly.
Law student Adèle, 19, from Nanterre stated, “I listened to Macron yesterday and it was as if someone were spitting in our face.” “There is a different approach to this pension reform that he could take, and if he doesn’t, it’s because he isn’t paying attention to the public. A glaring absence of democracy exists, “To the BBC, she spoke.
Both King Charles and President Macron will feel let down by the postponement, which will be extremely embarrassing for President Macron.
Government recommendations are followed when making state visits. The entire background information had emphasized that this was a significant diplomatic message about mending fences with European neighbors.
Wednesday’s trip from France to Germany was scheduled to include the King and Camilla. Instead, Berlin will be where Charles’ first state visit starts.
