A “political truce” during the Olympics would be possible, according to Macron

Photo: Michel Euler Agence France-Presse

France Media Agency Saint-Denis, France

Posted at 7:59 a.m.

• Europe

Emmanuel Macron said Monday that the Olympic Games which begin on Friday in Paris would be a moment of “political truce”, while France is still looking for a government after the early legislative elections.

Questioned by journalists on the sidelines of the visit to the athletes' village in Saint-Denis, north of the capital, the head of state spoke of a “sporting festival” coupled with an “Olympic and political truce”.

“These are the Games which will be at the heart of the life of the country and the world will be in France thanks to them,” he said, without specifying whether this implied that he would not appoint a prime minister before the Olympics.

The President of the Republic also assured that the Games were “not at all” spoiled by his dissolution of the National Assembly in June, which plunged France into political crisis. There “is a form of truce”, he insisted.

Emmanuel Macron's entourage specified that an appointment of prime minister, in replacement of the resigning Gabriel Attal who manages day-to-day affairs, was unlikely before the Olympics “unless there is a tremendous acceleration” in negotiations.

The Games will take place from July 26 to August 11, then the Paralympic Games are scheduled for August 28 to September 8.

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