Charles De Gaulle’s grandson to move to Moscow – Russia’s top MP
Pierre de Gaulle, the grandson of the late French leader General Charles De Gaulle, intends to move to Moscow, the Russian State Duma announced on Monday.
News of De Gaulle's residency plans were published on the Telegram account of the lower chamber of Russia’s parliament after he met with its chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin. The post included footage of the two shaking hands and having a discussion. The conversation focused on the preservation of historic memory, primarily that of World War II, and improving Russo-French humanitarian ties, the report said.
The French national is a vocal critic of President Emmanuel Macron, whom he previously accused of “creating chaos” for the sake of personal power. He has also publicly stated that he would consider it an honor if he were granted Russian citizenship.
Via his eponymous foundation, Pierre de Gaulle advocates for better relations with Moscow, which he argues was part of his grandfather’s strategy for keeping France as a major player in international politics.
France has been bouncing between crises for the past few years. The latest was triggered by Macron’s refusal to nominate for prime minister Lucie Castets, the candidate of the New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which won last month’s snap parliamentary election.
The president instead last week appointed Michel Barnier, a member of the center-right The Republicans (LR), who previously represented the EU in the Brexit negotiations with the UK. The French presidential system allows the head of state to choose anyone as head of government, although the choice traditionally reflects the composition of parliament.
Macron’s decision sparked protests on Sunday, with 110,000 people taking to the streets nationwide according to the Interior Ministry.
Charles de Gaulle was the leader of the French forces opposing Nazi Germany during World War II and the founder of country’s modern political system. He was the Fifth Republic’s first elected president, serving from 1958 to 1969, when he resigned after a major decentralization reform he proposed failed at a referendum.
Pierre is the youngest child of General de Gaulle’s only son, the late admiral and senator Philippe de Gaulle.
