Jacques Serais (in Sweden) / Photo credits: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP 8:23 a.m., January 30, 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron escapes the anger of the agricultural world this Tuesday to begin a two-day state visit to Sweden. The images of tractors on the highways leading to the French capital are likely to be in sharp contrast with those of the splendor of receptions by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
While Gabriel Attal tries to calm the discontent of farmers, Emmanuel Macron is again abroad. After India last week, the head of state is on a state visit to Sweden this Tuesday and Wednesday. The contrast of images between Stockholm and Paris looks particularly pronounced.
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Emmanuel Macron received with great fanfare
Emmanuel Macron is distancing himself again. 1,500 kilometers from Paris, no tractor on the horizon. Here, the Head of State, accompanied by the First Lady, will be received with great pomp by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
Welcoming ceremony at the Royal Palace at the end of the morning, state dinner in gala dress at the start of the evening... Images that are different from those of the farmers who surround Paris. But there was no question of postponing this trip.
A visit planned for last October
This visit was initially planned for last October and was postponed after the attacks in Arras and Brussels.
Coincidence of the calendar, Emmanuel Macron will speak this Tuesday afternoon during a press conference alongside the Swedish Prime Minister, then during a speech on European defense, at the same time, his Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, will deliver his general policy declaration to the Assembly. But in the midst of the Swedish royal splendor, the President will follow very closely what is happening in France, assures his entourage. We are also looking towards Brussels, where an extraordinary European Council will take place on Thursday.