The state visit of King Charles III to France, which was scheduled for March 26 to 29, is postponed given the new day of national mobilization scheduled for Tuesday against the pension reform, the Elysée announced on Friday in a communicated.
The trip to Paris and Bordeaux was due to start on Sunday, but the two cities experienced Thursday worst violence since protests began in January. The entrance to Bordeaux City Hall was set on fire.
Authorities had previously insisted the trip was not subject to any known threats. The postponement decision was taken by the French and British governments, after a telephone exchange between the President of the Republic and the King this morning, in order to be able to welcome His Majesty King Charles III under conditions which correspond to our relationship of friendship “, writes the French presidency in a press release, promising a rescheduling of the visit” as soon as possible “. ” The decision was taken with the agreement of all parties, after the President of France asked the British government to postpone the visit “said a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Charles III was expected for a state visit to France from March 26 to 29 and the program included a visit to the Musée d’Orsay, a dinner at the Palace of Versailles, a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe as well as an interview at the Elysee Palace. The king was also to travel with the queen consort to the Bordeaux region.
Several voices in the opposition have called for the cancellation of this visit because of the protest movement against the pension reform, which has grown since the government’s recourse to 49.3 to have the law passed without a vote. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Friday morning that France was ready to welcome the King of England.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: their Majesties look forward to the opportunity to travel to France as soon as dates can be found “.
(With Afp)