Paris is set to hold a celebratory parade on Saturday, capping off its vibrant summer of sport by honoring French athletes from the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Parade of Champions will feature 182 French Olympians, including 78 medalists, and 137 Paralympians, with 50 medal winners among that group, along the iconic Champs Elysées. Organizers promise a spectacle akin to the stunning Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, aligning with themes of surprise, emotion, and sharing.
President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier will attend, with Macron expected to decorate standout athletes like Léon Marchand and Teddy Riner with state honors. Macron highlighted that the Olympics have fostered "national harmony" amidst a politically divided nation, evidenced by July's inconclusive legislative elections. This event, which 70,000 people are expected to attend, aims to unify the country as it grapples with social tensions and economic challenges.
Macron's new appointment, Michel Barnier, faces a tough political landscape, with the left-wing coalition, which won the most seats but not a majority, expressing strong opposition. Barnier, the EU's former Brexit negotiator, is preparing to name his ministers amidst vows of protests and censure from the leftist bloc. The coalition accuses Macron of ignoring the electorate's will, setting the stage for a politically charged environment as the new government forms its agenda. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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