Macron says 2024, marked by Olympics, will be year of French pride and hope
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French President Emmanuel Macron sought to cheer up the country after a year marked by wars and crises abroad as well as protests and street violence.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS - President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Dec 31 that 2024 will be the year of French pride and hope, marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games and the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral after a devastating fire.
“Only once in a century does one host Olympic and Paralympic Games, only once in a millennium does one rebuild a cathedral,” Mr Macron said. “2024, a year of determination, choices, recovery, pride. In fact, a year of hope.”
He was speaking in a televised address ahead of New Year celebrations during which around 90,000 police officers and 5,000 soldiers were deployed to ensure security and address what the government called a “very high” terrorist threat.
France will continue to “re-arm” itself when it comes to security matters, but also boost public education and social cohesion, Mr Macron said.
He sought to cheer up the French after a year marked by wars and crises abroad, as well as protests over an unpopular pension reform and street violence following the police killing of a teenager at a Paris traffic stop. REUTERS
