In an address on Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron declared that 2024 will be a year of pride and hope for France, marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games and the re-opening of Notre-Dame cathedral following a devastating fire.
“Only once in a century does one host Olympic and Paralympic Games, only once in a millennium does one rebuild a cathedral,” Macron stated. “2024, a year of determination, choices, recovery, pride. In fact, a year of hope.”
He made this announcement in a televised address ahead of New Year celebrations, during which approximately 90,000 police and 5,000 soldiers will be deployed to ensure security and address what the government called a “very high” terrorist threat.
Macron also stated that France will continue to “re-arm” itself in terms of security matters, while also focusing on enhancing public education and social cohesion.
He aimed to uplift the spirits of the French people after a year filled with wars and crises, as well as protests over an unpopular pension reform and street violence following the police killing of a teenager during a traffic stop in Paris.
(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, editing by Sybille de La Hamaide and Nick Macfie)
