The Ukrainian president is due to deliver a speech to the National Assembly on Friday morning. The opposition denounces an inappropriate visit two days before the European elections.
:quality(50)/2023/07/07/64a7df4c5fe71_placeholder-36b69ec8.png)
Published
Reading time: 1 min
:quality(50)/2024/06/07/volodimir-zelenski-6662b993175b8851453404.jpg)
The Ukrainian president is due to deliver a speech to MPs on Friday June 7. He is invited to France by Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Landings. But the arrival of Volodymyr Zelensky at the Palais Bourbon 48 hours before the European elections on Sunday divides the deputies.
The calendar is not good, denounces the opposition, from the right and the left.
MP Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, promises that in normal times, he would have nothing against Volodymyr Zelensky coming to the National Assembly: “But for it to be done there, a few hours before the European elections to fuel the war speeches of the President of the Republic, it is serious”he blurted.
Among the Republicans, Pierre Henri Dumont pretends to be more measured. “I prefer not to see any malice in itexplains MP LR. The issue of Ukrainians’ heroic resistance to Russian aggression is far too important to make a simple electoral argument to gain 0.3 points in the polls.”
An unworthy and absurd controversy responds to the majority deputies. There is no calculation behind this invitation swears Céline Calvez, spokesperson for the Renaissance deputies: “I find it shocking. It’s just some time before the European elections are due to take place. But what calls for his arrival is the occasion of his trip for the 80th anniversary of the Landing.”
This is the first time that Volodimir Zelensky comes physically to the National Assembly. Two years ago the Ukrainian president had already addressed the French Parliament but by videoconference.
