French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly reluctant to relinquish his position, with a source close to the government stating he "hates it" when his remaining months in office are mentioned. Macron is approaching the end of his second term, with the presidential elections scheduled for May 2027.
The French leader celebrated Bastille Day on July 14, hosting approximately 30 international leaders for a military parade that appeared to underscore European unity and a commitment to supporting Ukraine. Ukrainian troops and co-pilots trained in France marched alongside French air force personnel in a show of solidarity. This year's parade featured an expanded "coalition of the willing" contingent, with troops from countries supporting Ukraine's postwar security participating.
The source, speaking to French newspaper Le Figaro on condition of anonymity, indicated that Macron intends to remain in power "until the very end" and plans to hand over power on his final day in office, May 13, 2027. The source also suggested a deliberate avoidance of any "farewell" events, opting instead for a "see you later" approach.
The Bastille Day parade itself was notable for its scale and international participation. A record number of troops, 7,600, marched, with around 500 soldiers from the "coalition of the willing" opening the procession. This marked the first time in about two decades that British troops participated, and Ukrainian forces received significant cheers from the crowd. Aircraft from several European nations, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Italy, also took part in aerial displays.