This year’s July 14th or Bastille Day celebrations included the yearly military parade down the Champs-Elysees and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in the evening. Both are outward signs of French pride towards the nation on the anniversary of an historic date in 1789 that marked the beginning of a long road towards independence from an autocratic state.
But this year, a long-time resident and public figure of France, originally from Norway, dared speak out against the parade, saying it was an “image of domination that doesn’t correspond anymore to (France’s) aspirations.” Instead, Green Party presidential hopeful Eva Joly suggests that France adopt a citizen’s parade featuring school children and the general public as the main attraction.
Indeed, perhaps one could say that parading one’s military down a major city avenue may be a lot like animals who ruffle their feathers to appear larger than they are or emit a mighty roar to intimidate their enemies. And to some, this might appear a bit ridiculous and outdated in our era of peace (ahem). And so yes, while this is a lot friendlier than the pure military theme of the Bastille Day parade in France, I wonder how many would stir up interest for “Facebook on Parade”?
Her comments resulted in a barrage of counter-attacks to defend the French republic, which apparently they felt was under siege. In a list of comments on national news network France2’s webpage (click here), of 13 politicians who commented, 8 brought up the question of nationality in their remarks, six directly linked to the fact that she didn’t understand or respect French values because she is a foreigner.
Among those quoted in the France2 article, the most prestigious was Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who declared that Eva Joly’s experience of French values and culture didn’t go back very far.
Joly, French presidential candidate for the Europe Ecologie Les Verts, which is affiliated with the European Green Party, retorted by saying it was not right to set her apart as a foreigner. In an interview with “Le Point” newspaper, the ex-judge said “claiming to defend the republic by stirring up the demon of origins is a dangerous hypocrisy,” speaking also of a “degradation in public debates and an identity-based gangrene that is attacking the body of the republic.”
In an interview with another newspaper, she cried out: “I didn’t just disembark from my drakkar! I’ve lived in France for fifty years and am therefore French!”
In addition to her role in French politics today, Joly is an ex-magistrate who became very well-known for her anti-corruption position that she held towards government, banking and oil industry officials.
Despite her insistence that she should not be ridiculed because she is foreign, it is amusing to note that her country of origin, Norway, has annual citizen’s parades on its national holiday, May 17. School children are a major component of this event, waving flags, singing traditional songs and walking behind colorful floats.
Joly did manage to receive some encouragement from Jean-Luc Mélenchon, presidential candidate for the Left Front party. He took a surprising position of compromise and suggested a citizen’s parade behind the military parade. I wonder how that could work. Do we go directly from military to the people, or do we need a transition between the two?
What is surprising is the degree to which these politicians dared to speak out against such a ‘preposterous’ idea. While reading on, keep in mind that the French political landscape is quite varied, going from communist to far right, and that the more extreme comments may be linked to the more extreme poles of the political spectrum. Here are a few tasty morsels (my comments are in italics):
Popular Right National Assembly Deputy Lionnel Luca accused Eva Joly of confusing July 14 with April Fool’s Day or April 1st. “It would be good for her to learn the history of France,” he said on French radio Europe 1. Pretty brash, n’est-ce pas, mes amis?
Special advisor to French president Nicolas Sarkozy Henri Guaino called her suggestion "pathetic" and "an insult" to France.
“All forms of controversy regarding the Republic’s rites are not desirable,” said Ségolène Royal on France Info, and that it would be a “bad idea to question French traditions.” Can a country that doesn’t question its traditions move forward? Should we simply accept at face value whatever is being done at the moment as what we should continue to do? Is it right to preserve all traditions: slavery, women’s oppression, and the like?
“All forms of controversy regarding the Republic’s rites are not desirable,” said Ségolène Royal on France Info, and that it would be a “bad idea to question French traditions.” Can a country that doesn’t question its traditions move forward? Should we simply accept at face value whatever is being done at the moment as what we should continue to do? Is it right to preserve all traditions: slavery, women’s oppression, and the like?
Extreme Right National Front Party President Marine Le Pen said Joly’s remarks “show that she understands absolutely nothing about the extremely deep links that exist between the French people and its army.” In a country of people who only display flags after winning a major soccer match, saying it would otherwise demonstrate fascist sentiment, I find this surprising. Not to mention the words “absolutely nothing” – vlam!
Frédéric Nihous, president of the party “Hunting, Fishing, Nature, Tradition” (Yes, that’s right!) in a press release called for the leaders of the European Green Party to “Disinvest their candidate and … get a responsible one that respects French institutions.”
Jean-Pierre Chevènement, long-time politician and ex-Defense Minister said, “the nature of France escapes (Eva Joly) probably” and that “perhaps she needs a little more getting used to things.”
Jean-Pierre Chevènement, long-time politician and ex-Defense Minister said, “the nature of France escapes (Eva Joly) probably” and that “perhaps she needs a little more getting used to things.”
Lionel Tardy, Right-wing deputy for the Haute-Savoie, reacted on Twitter with the message "Eva Joly is suggesting the suppression of the July 14th parade … it’s time for her to go back to Norway!”
No matter your feelings about the military parade, the implications of this public verbal whipping go far:
- Outsiders cannot be taken seriously when they question the validity of French institutions.
- If you’re α good French person, you accept the status quo. (according to Ségolène Royal)
- It is OK to blatantly set someone apart from the French crowd because they are not.
- Political correctness has yet to take hold in France.
