Paris Ready for 2024 Olympics Amidst Political Uncertainty
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, announced on Friday that Paris is \"ready\" to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. With just 42 days to go until the opening ceremony on July 26, Bach praised the city's preparation and enthusiasm, which can be felt from the airport to the iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower adorned with Olympic rings.
Bach assured that the upcoming legislative elections in France, set for June 30 and July 7, do not concern the IOC regarding their impact on the Olympic Games. \"We are not worried,\" he stated confidently, explaining that both the French government and the opposition are united in their commitment to showcase France in its best light during the Games.
French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly has introduced a level of political instability just weeks before the Olympics. However, Bach remains optimistic. He emphasized that the necessary financial guarantees for the French Alps' bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, which will be decided by the IOC on July 24, are expected to be delivered swiftly after the elections.
Meanwhile, Macron has intensified his political rhetoric, describing the upcoming elections as a struggle between his centrist party and the \"extreme left\" and \"extreme right\". In a combative speech in Paris, he called for moderate voters to unite against these \"unnatural alliances\". Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National, fresh from a strong showing in the European elections, is predicted to potentially secure the most seats in the National Assembly, a scenario that could lead to France's first far-right government since World War II.
- Macron has faced criticism from both political extremes, accusing the left of forming an anti-Semitic 'popular front' and condemning the right for a 'pact with the devil' by aligning with Le Pen. He called for a coalition of 'men and women of good will' to support a common project for France.
- Pierre-Nicolas Baudot, a political analyst, expressed concerns about Macron's strategy, suggesting that presenting the elections as a choice between 'Macron and chaos' could backfire, given the normalization of far-right sentiments among voters. Despite this, Macron remains determined to rally moderate support to prevent extremist influence in the government.
