Charles III’s visit to France has been postponed due to protests against Macron’s pension reform

The visit of the British King Charles III to France, which was supposed to start next Sunday, was postponed due to protests against the pension reform of French President Emmanuel Macron, which led to riots. The decision to postpone was made by the governments of the two countries after this morning’s telephone communication between Macron and the king, the Elysee explained in a statement collected by Efe.

Therefore, according to the French presidency, “To be able to welcome His Majesty King Carlos III in conditions suitable to our friendly relationship”. As for the date when that visit will finally take place, the indication is vague: “it will be scheduled as soon as possible”. In any case, the Elysée recognizes that this change of plans is linked to the protests against Macron, more precisely to the new call of all unions for a new day of mobilization next Tuesday, which will be the tenth, after yesterday, which was characterized by mass demonstrations and multiple fights.

“From the moment last night the Inter-Union Union announced a new day of mobilization on Tuesday and the King’s visit is scheduled from Monday to Tuesday, I don’t think we would be serious and we would lack common sense to suggest that His Majesty the King and Queen Consort pay a state visit in the midst of demonstrations», Macron said at the press conference after the meeting of the leaders of the European Union held in Brussels. He added that France “has a lot of friendship, respect and esteem for His Majesty the King and Queen Consort and for the British people”, and Macron himself “took the initiative this morning to call him (the King) and tell him what the situation was”.

These fights, which were particularly serious in Paris, but also in Rennes, Nantes, Lorient or Bordeaux because of the image they gave of the country, led to 457 arrests by the police force, including 441 injured policemen.

The announcement of the postponement of the visit, which was to be Carlos III’s first foreign visit since becoming king, comes just hours after the French interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, assured that the security device is prepared “for reception in excellent condition”. Darmanin, who insisted there had been no “characterized terrorist threats”, acknowledged that some could use the king’s presence as a media spokesperson for their protests or political demands.

In the king’s program, which began on Sunday with his arrival in Paris, on Monday there was a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe with Macron laying a wreath at the monument to the unknown soldier, before the two heads of state descended the avenue des Champs-Élysées in what was initially supposed to be a crowd bath. Another sensitive moment in terms of security was the monarch’s trip by high-speed train (TGV) to Bordeaux on Tuesday, where he was also due to take a tram to the Place de la Bourse.

Buckingham, however, pointed out in a note that Carlos III and Queen Camila look forward to the opportunity to visit France “as soon as dates are found”.