Greenpeace Removes Wax Statue of President Macron in Paris
On Monday, Greenpeace activists staged a bold demonstration by removing the wax statue of French President Emmanuel Macron from the Grevin Museum in Paris. The statue was subsequently placed in front of the Russian embassy as a form of protest against France's continuing trade relations with Russia and its perceived insufficient climate initiatives.
Details of the Protest Action
According to statements from Greenpeace, activists entered the Grevin Museum disguised as regular visitors. They proceeded to the section displaying the wax figure of President Macron, swiftly removed it, and exited without confrontation. A vehicle awaited them outside to transport the statue away from the premises. The museum authorities were reportedly not informed prior to the incident.
Greenpeace’s Message and Demands
Greenpeace issued a strong statement highlighting that President Macron "does not deserve to be exhibited in this world-renowned cultural institution until he has terminated French contracts with Russia and driven an ambitious and sustainable ecological transition across Europe."
Jean-Francois Julliard, director of Greenpeace France, emphasized the contradiction between political support for Ukraine and ongoing imports from Russia. He noted:
"We do not deny the political, diplomatic, and financial support of France and Europe for Ukraine. But if we want to be coherent and consistent, we cannot, on the one hand, support Ukraine and, on the other, continue to import such massive amounts of gas, chemical fertilisers, and uranium."
Context: France’s Energy Imports and EU Policies
France is among the leading importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Europe, alongside Belgium and Spain. While the European Union aims to decrease dependency on Russian energy sources, several import agreements are secured via long-term contracts with some extending to 2041. Major companies involved include TotalEnergies, SEFE, and Naturgy.
These contracts complicate efforts to fully disengage from Russian imports, despite the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine.
Future Action and Museum Response
Greenpeace indicated plans to return the statue but did not provide a timeline. Meanwhile, the Grevin Museum has not publicly responded to the incident. The French presidency has also yet to comment on the matter.
Summary of Key Facts
- Event: Greenpeace activists removed Macron's wax statue from the Grevin Museum.
- Purpose: Protest against French trade ties with Russia and insufficient climate action.
- Method: Covert entry, quick removal, and relocation of the statue to Russian embassy.
- French imports: France is a major LNG importer with contracts linked to Russia.
- Greenpeace demand: Termination of French-Russian contracts and stronger ecological policies.
