The French political scene was hit by a new controversy surrounding President Emmanuel Macron, who did not attend a ceremony on August 8 in memory of those who fought in the Amiens battle of 1918. The French president is on vacation with his wife, Brigitte Macron.
Macron's absence, along with that of French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, has created a wave of dissatisfaction in France, given that Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince William were presented at the ceremony. Macron, who spent some of his life at Amiens, was at the presidential resort in Fort de Bregancon.
However, the French government had two representatives, the Secretary of State, Genevieve Darrieussecq, and Florence Parly, Ministry of Armed Forces.
Macron criticized for his absence
Macron has been harshly criticized for his attitude both in the French media, as well as by the political opponents. According to Express.co.uk, Alain Houpert, senator and member of the Republican Party, considered that Macron "has no respect for those who gave their lives to France."
According to the French publication historian and coordinator of First World War Centenary Mission, Joseph Zimet, there is nothing wrong with the absence of Emmanual Macron. Also, he said that Macron "will dedicate 10 days to a great commemorative ceremony in honor of several battles." In addition, Zimet stressed that this event will take place over two days in Paris and 110 heads of state and Prime Ministers from all over the world are expected to attend.
Macron - serious problems in recent months
The political trust in Macron's actions is quite low, reaching only 27 percent approval, five percent lower than in June, according to a YouGov poll for Huffington Post and French news television CNews. He was under fire for wanting a private swimming pool built to avoid paparazzi. Express UK also reported that Mr Macron’s office "came under fire last month after Alexandre Benalla, the former head of the president’s security detail, was caught on camera assaulting two May Day protesters while off duty and wearing a riot helmet and police tags."
The Battle of Amiens is one of the most important events of the First World War, which took place exactly a century ago when the allied forces succeeded in defeating Germany.
The battle was extremely important, marking the beginning of the end for the German imperial forces. Germany would surrender in the front of Entente forces three months later in November 1918.
British Prime Minister Theresa May and Prince William, German president Joachim Gauck, as well as American, Canadian, Irish, Northern-Irish and Australian representatives, attended the ceremony at the Amiens cathedral.
