Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE RESTORED SPIRE of the 861 year-old Notre Dame cathedral is to provide a dramatic backdrop for Donald Trump’s return to the geopolitical stage, as the US president-elect makes a visit to Europe to mingle with world leaders at an official reopening ceremony in Paris today.
Trump posted on his Truth Social website shortly after accepting the invitation, saying that French President Emmanuel Macron had “done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
The visit is Trump’s first trip overseas since he won the presidential election a month ago, and could offer Macron an opportunity to play the role of mediator between Europe and the unpredictable U.S. politician, a role the French leader has relished in the past.
Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of cultivating a relationship with the President-elect since he defeated Kamala Harris in the US election last month.
Macron’s office nonetheless played down the significance of the invitation, saying that other politicians who do not currently hold office had been invited as well.
Trump was invited as President-elect of a “friendly nation”, Macron’s office told reporters, adding: “This is in no way exceptional, we’ve done it before.”
The ceremony marks the reopening of France’s historic Notre Dame Cathedral for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the landmark in 2019.
The restoration is widely seen as a moment of triumph for Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline – and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes.
The packed evening ceremony is being hailed as a rare moment of unity against the backdrop of global divisions and conflicts.
President Joe Biden was invited to the ceremony but will not attend due to “scheduling conflicts”, with First lady Jill Biden set to attend to “represent America”.
Nearly 50 heads of state and government and personalities – 1,500 guests in all – will attend the reopening celebration under Notre Dame’s soaring Gothic arches, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.
Trump’s visit to France comes as Macron and other European leaders are trying to cultivate Trump’s favour and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s three-year invasion.
Ahead of the Notre Dame event, Macron will meet Trump and then separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the French President’s office said.
It is not clear whether Trump will meet Zelensky. Trump has vowed to end the war in Ukraine swiftly but has not specified how he will do so, raising concerns in Kyiv about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations.
Relations between France and the US during Trump’s first term began warmly enough but grew increasingly strained over time.
The relationship suffered after Macron criticised Trump for questioning the need for Nato and raising doubts about America’s commitment to the mutual defence pact.
On the campaign trail this year, Trump often mocked Macron, threatening to impose steep tariffs on wine and champagne bottles shipped to the US if France tries to tax American companies.
But Macron was one of the first global leaders to congratulate Trump last month after the election, posting a message to Trump on X the morning after the US President-elect secured his second term in office.
“Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity,” Macron said.
With additional reporting from Press Association.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Surely who ever is good for the role, regardless of gender, should be acceptable. Otherwise, you might end up with a Dee Forbes.
Are you saying that in all of Ireland’s history, we never had a women who was capable of the role of Taoiseach? Just all men who so happened to be capable?
@9QRixo8H: Yes, the ‘merit’ argument only holds if there are equal opportunities, which there never have been on account of lack of childcare etc. These days, misogyny and general abuse may dissuade women from entering politics, sadly.
@9QRixo8H: I don’t think that’s what Anthony is saying, at all.
If the government made only one nomination, and that was a woman, would there be the same commentary?
But the main point surely is that either the government (in this case the State) is correct, and our Ursula doesn’t have this power.
Or she does.
if she doesn’t, then she should not be allowed to impose authority that she does not have.
@9QRixo8H: I can’t think of any.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: It is a request not an order, there is no imposition of authority involved.
@Steve O’Hara-Smith: there is an implied threat.
@Nodon: An implied threat to do what?
@Steve O’Hara-Smith: She requested 2 candidates, one male and one female.
The government submitted one, and told her this was their choice.
She *again* requested that the government submit 2 candidates.
She doesn’t seem to want to accept no as an answer.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: She wrote to ALL of the member states governments asking them all to send two candidates – some probably already have, others have not.
This is not a dialogue between her and the Irish government this is her asking all the members.
Now how will it look if we’re the only hold out? How about if we’re one of many?
Nobody has mentioned how any other government has responded are we out on a limb or one of the crowd? I have no idea but I’m guessing that we’re not out on a limb.
Filling positions should not be based on gender but ability.
@ian: That would suggest the those in government – both here and in the EU – don’t believe that what they do requires any special ability.
And that appearances are more important.
@ian: Exactly and it is the prerogative of the Government of each member State to decide who to nominate.
Is she legally entitled under EU legislation to request this ?
@Tom Reidy: Frau Genocide thinks she can do as she likes. An affront to democracy and the original ideals of the European project. Free Palestine.
@Tom Reidy: She can ask, like she did before, she cannot and did not insist.
There are a whole lot of people seemingly determined to make a mountain of this rather undersized mole hill.
It’s absolutely none of Von Der Leyens business if EU countries nominate 1 person or 5 people for their countries commissioner roll. So she should stay out of it.
What a picture. Martin standing by, watching on like a bold school boy and ready to do whatever he’s told to do by the demon headmistress!
@Andrew Kenny: Or someone signing a visitors’ book while her host waits politely.
@Brendan O’Brien: Of course that’s what is actually happening in the photo but how ironic that the real boss in that picture works out of Brussels. We ain’t as ‘independent’ as we think we are!
@Andrew Kenny: where did u see that ?He is standing firm with his nomination so wise up
@Brendan O’Brien: what an a#(hole you really are.
Irish government recreating China Here – THE CIRCUIT COURT will be able to order social media platforms and digital services providers to identify people who are anonymously posting defamatory material, under Ireland’s new defamation law.
@087 bed: Sounds good. You don’t think there should be laws against defamation?
@Brendan O’Brien: Yes there should be laws against defamation. Should juries be removed from the courts in defamation trails?
@Brendan O’Brien: This is about silencing decent as you well know, Be careful what you wish for, You might be next. All the Best
@087 bed: Defamation isn’t dissent.
@Brendan O’Brien: Defamation is a censorship buzz word.
@Brendan O’Brien: you’re guilty of Defamation of people on here. Myself for example when you’ve labelled me Far right and you say I’m a fake profile and even naming who you supposedly think am. That defamation of my character.
@Ger Whelan: I doubt any of that would fall under the legal definition of defamation, verbal abuse maybe.
there is a tradition here in Ireland of rewarding a senior Govt Minister with the plum job and they will not risk the possible shame of their Senior man being sidelined by a less connected woman
@Gerry Ryan: Any politican can be a Senior Minister just look at the currant crop.
@David Murray: yes, this years currant crop is expected to be poor because if the bad weather. As to the CURRENT crop of minister in government , they are expected to be poor under all known circumstances.
Our outgoing Commissioner is female, the incoming one is male… What part of gender equality does the current nominee offend?
@Brian Merriman: Probably von der Leyen would like flexibility to achieve gender balance on the Commission as a whole.
I don’t have a high opinion of the current Government but if they stand up VOn der Leyon this time I will have a bit more respect for them. On the other hand if they give in to this silly request they will be worthy of nothing more than utter contempt.
Send her Danny and Michael Healy Rea
Healy Rea’s X 2
Apart from the obvious giving the position to the most qualified, what’s more important here is Von Der Leyen overstepping. She needs to rein it in a bit.
Blatant gender discrimination. I genuinely feel sorry if the role is awarded to a woman cos she’ll feel she only got it because of that
@Ian McDonald: I don’t suppose all the men who have been promoted above more qualified/competent women were ashamed.
@Brendan O’Brien: examples being ……. ?
@Ian McDonald: There must be thousands. Every large company will have had many. Thankfully times are changing.
I picked this article: there are many other studies with similar findings.
Jobs for the boys only. Old school still.
I have a sneaky suspicion that this is a backdoor route for the EU president of the day to pick the commisionor and thus command their loyalty and very little to do with gender balance in order to fill up the commision with lackys.
Did Germany and Estonia propose a man?
They shouldn’t have voted for her she is now a dictator tell her to get lost
Michael McGrath and Michaela McGrath – simples!
have your say