Paris - French President
Emmanuel Macron has overseen
France’s annual
Bastille Day celebration, which this year showcases European defenceco-operation.
Flags of the 10 countries of the European Intervention Initiative, a joint military pact created last year, led Sunday’s military parade down the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris.
Although the display included over 4,000 armed forces, 69 planes and 39 helicopters, its biggest crowd-pleaser was a man rocketing through the air on a flyboard device — the invention of French former jet-skiing champion Franky Zapata.
Tensions in the street remain high in Paris following months of demonstrations by the anti-Macron yellow vest protesters who want more help for French workers. On Sunday, television images showed police grabbing one of the movement’s leaders, Eric Drouet, as he stood on the sidelines of the parade and escorting him away.
At France’s 2017 Bastille Day events, U.S. President
Donald Trump, as guest of honour, was so impressed he ordered a military parade in Washington for America’s July 4 celebrations.
Macron will later host a lunch at the
Elysee Palace with other European leaders, including German Chancellor
Angela Merkel.
