France’s Macron Commemorates Napoleon’s ‘Ode to Political Will’

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron stand in front of Napoleon's tomb during a ceremony to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte's death, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, May 5, 2021. Christophe Petit Tesson/Reuters

PARIS—President Emmanuel Macron laid a wreath at Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb on Wednesday, commemorating the bicentenary of the death of an emperor who overthrew the nascent Republic before expanding France’s empire in bloody battles across Europe.

Numerous past presidents have shunned paying tribute to one of France’s most divisive leaders, but in a speech at the Institut de France, established by Napoleon on the banks of the river Seine, Macron said history should be confronted.