Macron at Student’s Evening in Lund – Aftonbladet on site

GROVE. Students in Lund made French President Emmanuel Macron speak plainly.

Russia must not win the war and when a peace is secured, a new world order is created – where the country is held tightly.

– No satellite states, no threats and no aggression, Macron said.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Sweden ended at the University of Lund.

When the president – greatly delayed – arrived at the University House, he was first greeted by loud boos from a Palestine demonstration gathered outside.

The historic University House was filled to capacity when Macron stepped on stage for a question and answer session under the auspices of Student Evening.

After several long questions from a moderator, three students got the chance. Then Macron appeared and responded enthusiastically.

The first question concerned the climate and how young people should see the future. Macron urged the young not to give up hope.

– I think we actually have a solution. We are willing to innovate. We are doing the work in Europe, Macron said, referring to the fact that France has reduced its emissions by just over two percent since he came to power.

The next student question concerned Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Here, Macron was clear that Europe cannot afford a Russian win, but did not literally mention that Ukraine must be supported to leave victorious.

– We must do everything we can to make it impossible for Russia to win, he said and continued:

– We will never abandon Ukraine. It is our duty to put Ukraine in the best possible position to negotiate with Russia about its territory and its security.

Another student wondered how Russia will be treated when the war is over.

Macron was clear on that point: After the war, Europe must re-establish contacts with Russia – but the country must also find a new place in the world order.

And kept under control.

– The day after a sustainable peace has been achieved, we must have clear rules for Russia: No satellite states, no threats and no aggression. It also has to a set of guarantees for security from Russia. Europe must sit at the table and set the agenda.

There were more students who wanted to ask the president questions, but were refused. It was not possible due to a delayed schedule.

Sing-along

After the question and answer session, about ten students came up on stage and stood around Macron. When they rose in unison, the president was not slow to join in.

Together they got the lion’s share of the 400 participants to sing along to “Les champs Élysées” – so that the university building almost rocked.

A few minutes later, a smiling and singing Macron marched out together with his wife Brigitte, the King and Queen Silvia, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström and Education Minister Mats Persson.

It has been speculated whether the Macron couple would get to taste the classic student night dish pittypanna with béarnaise sauce. However, that was not the case.

After the all-singing, the president and his entourage went on to the Academic Association’s house, AF-borgen, in Lundagård, where they held a reception in honor of the royal couple. A cocktail menu was served there.

Earlier on Wednesday, the French president visited ESS, The European Spallation Source, and the company Alfa Laval in Lund.

At ESS, Macron and the King inaugurated a new section of the particle accelerator by symbolically pressing each a large green button.

– Three, two, one, they said in chorus. And almost managed to press the buttons at the same time.