Frontline heroes to join Bastille Day parade in Paris?
Demand is growing for frontline medical staff, carers and key workers to be honoured with a place in the July 14th Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
The move for these ‘heroes’ of the Covid-19 pandemic to join France’s military parade in the French capital is being backed by politicians as well as online petitions.
Senator Catherine Dumas has written to President Macron requesting their participation.
In her letter, she wrote:"If the conditions allow it, I suggest we are joined on July 14 by the medical staff and all our everyday heroes (traders, transport drivers, garbage collectors, teachers enabling academic continuity ...)".
The biggest question mark is whether there will be a Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysée, after President Macron announced on Monday that mass gatherings are not permitted until mid-July as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak.
No decision has yet been taken on the Bastille Day event, the Defence Commission were informed yesterday by Army Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq.
She said: "With regards to July 14th, which follows the deconfinement, at the moment nothing is stopped, nothing is established."
Doubt has also been cast by several high-ranking military officers, according to Franceinfo, on citizens being part of a well-organised military event.
