Macron backs repeal of France's colonial-era slavery decrees amid reparations debate
French President Emmanuel Macron has endorsed the repeal of colonial-era slavery decrees as France addresses its historical legacy. He emphasized the need for a dialogue on reparations while cautioning against making unrealistic promises. The bill to repeal the decrees has received backing from lawmakers and is set for a vote in the National Assembly.
- ▪Macron called the existence of royal decrees a 'form of offense' to the Republic.
- ▪The bill to repeal the Code Noir has been supported by the National Assembly's law committee.
- ▪Macron acknowledged the complexity of the reparations issue, stating it cannot be fully resolved.
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French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the law recognizing the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity at the Élysée Palace in Paris, Thursday, May 21, 2026. THIBAULT CAMUS/POOL AP VIA AP French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, May 21, endorsed the symbolic repeal of royal decrees that governed slavery in French colonies, as France confronts its history and the sensitive issue of reparations. Calls have been mounting for Macron, whose second and final five-year term ends next year, to initiate a formal dialogue on how France should respond to the enduring legacy of slavery.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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