Macron defends French army officer centenary ceremony

The president made the statement in Charleville-Mézières (Ardennes), on the fourth day of his “memorial tour”, ahead of the centenary of the World War One armistice this Sunday November 11.

Several commentators have criticised the ceremony, especially for its lack of military display, and have previously criticised the President for snubbing the achievements of French foot soldiers and normal conscripts, who - back then - formed the majority of the national army.

Speaking in front of a local ministerial council, Mr Macron said: “I have always looked history straight-on. It is completely proper that we should pay homage to the marshals and officers, who also helped the army to victory. And this homage will be paid, as it is every year, by the French army.”

Similarly, some have questioned the ethics of celebrating controversial figures such as Marshal Pétain, and Mr Macron admitted that the history was controversial.

Marshal Pétain was convicted of treason following the Second World War, as he was Prime Minister of France during the Vichy government in the 1940s, and was seen to have played a central role in collaborating with the Nazis and aligning France with the Nazi state.

Yet, he had previously been hailed a hero, having led the French army to victory at the nine-month-long Battle of Verdun in 1916.

Although originally sentenced to death for his role in the Second World War, his sentence was later commuted to life in prison, in part due to the nation’s recognition of his First World War achievements.

Acknowledging this, Mr Macron said: “I am not hiding any page of history. During the First World War, Marshal Pétain was also a great soldier. There we go. [Marshals and officers] are a reality of our country.

“[I recognise] that one may have been a great soldier in the First World War, and still have later made disastrous choices in the Second World War. Political life - and human nature - are often more complicated than we would like to believe.”

The President will not be present at the Les Invalides ceremony on Saturday, but said that he would be represented by his Chief of Staff.

He said: “My role is to try to explain [situations] and to have the courage of my convictions. In this way, I recognise the part that marshals played in the war, and the role they played in the French victory.

“We are celebrating the centenary of victory and of peace. The victory of a fighting nation. It is also the victory of the French army and its marshals. It makes sense to celebrate them, and to allow the French army to do so.”

Mr Macron added: “I have always been opposed to French defeatism, wherever it has existed, or complacency towards any [negative] ideology. You cannot say I have been ambiguous on that point - I have always been strong when it comes to that fight.”

Despite the controversy, some supporters of Mr Macron have come to his defence.

Bruno Dary, former military governor in Paris, said: “This is not really a big furore. The official ceremony will revolve around the ‘Unknown Soldier’, and the military presence will be the same as in previous years.”

Referencing the “memorial trip” being made by Mr Macron this week, and claims that the President has not sufficiently recognised the sacrifice made by French soldiers, Mr Dary added: “Really, no other President has dedicated so much time to visiting the great battlefields.”