Macron backs symbolic repeal of France's slavery laws, warns against 'false promises' on reparations
Key takeaways
- President Emmanuel Macron endorsed repealing centuries-old royal decrees that codified slavery in French colonies on Thursday, calling their continued existence “an offence” to the Republic.
- 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.
- He said the issue of reparations should be addressed but warned against making "false promises."
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
President Emmanuel Macron endorsed repealing centuries-old royal decrees that codified slavery in French colonies on Thursday, calling their continued existence “an offence” to the Republic. Marking 25 years since France recognised slavery as a crime against humanity, Macron also reopened debate on reparations.
By: FRANCE 24 France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the law recognising the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 21, 2026. © Thibault Camus, AFP President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday 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.