France Paused to Celebrate National Holiday Amidst Turbulent Times

Yesterday was the 14th of July, which means that it was France's national holiday.

Yet, it felt unusual, different than normal. As everyone surely knows, these have been troubling times for France.

There have been numerous protests on the streets Serious protests. At first, these were rebellions against recent reforms to the retirement age by President Emmanuel Macron. Then, more recently, there were also violent protests after the fatal shooting of a young man of North African descent. The police officer responsible is being held on murder charges, as I understand it. But the anger of many in France - particularly the large North African communities - boiled over. It was not all that different from the fatal shootings of young black men, and the subsequent protests, which often turned violent, which followed these here in the United States. 

While most French people were celebrating their national holiday - much like Americans and Canadians both did earlier this month - the country has seen it's fair share of chaos and serious political turbulence and instability recently. It might have been a bit of a break from the chaos, but the country still faces some measure of potential political upheaval. The image of serious strikes crippling at least parts of city streets throughout France - particularly but not exclusively Paris - have made news flashes and headlines around the world. 

So this 14 juillet in France was a most unusual one. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting, which allowed Macron a little bit of a break from his controversial responses to the crises which France has faced in recent weeks and months. After all, Macron had specifically chosen him as this year's guest of honor when France celebrated it's national holiday. The cameras showed the two world leaders embracing and smiling, which of course is what Macron wanted. Yet, all is not well in France right now. Democracy seems to be threatened in many places around the world lately. And much like the United States, it feels like France sometimes is flirting with the limits to it's democracy, a democracy which of course symbolically started on the 14 juillet back in 1789. But political turmoil has consistently popped up from time to time since, then, almost becoming a de facto French tradition. In that regard, the recent turmoil is entirely in keeping with that tradition, at least.  

Arms, not democratic values, on parade as Macron hosts India’s Modi on Bastille Day by Leela Jacinto, 13/07/2023:

French President Emmanuel Macron rolls out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Indian leader picked as guest of honour at this year’s July 14 Bastille Day military parade. But critics warn that by overlooking rights violations and democratic backsliding under Modi’s reign, France is sending the wrong message.  

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20230713-arms-not-democratic-values-on-parade-as-macron-hosts-india-s-modi-on-bastille-day

France sees renewed protests against Macron's retirement age plan by Elaine Ganley, Associated Press, and Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press , April 13, 2023:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/france-sees-refreshed-protests-against-macrons-retirement-age-plan

Protests are sweeping France. Here’s what you need to know by Sana Noor Haq, Joshua Berlinger, Tara John, Barry Neild and Xiaofei Xu, CNN Updated 10:33 PM EDT, Sun July 2, 2023:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/europe/nanterre-france-police-protests-explainer-intl/index.html