- Title: France's new education minister a symbol of 'equal opportunity', says Macron
- Date: 2nd June 2022
- Summary: MARSEILLE, FRANCE (JUNE 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "He showed through his studies, his academic career, his concern for equal opportunity. And with this attachment, I profoundly believe, our republic should look into itself to be able to build its unity through the respect of diversity. That's universalist discourse in which I believe." MEETING WITH EDUCATIONAL ACTORS AND PARENTS ATTENDED BY MACRON AND NDIAYE VARIOUS OF NDIAYE DURING MEETING
- Embargoed: 16th June 2022 15:05
- Keywords: Macron Pap Ndiaye education minister
- Location: MARSEILLE AND PARIS, FRANCE
- City: MARSEILLE AND PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA003235702062022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (June 2) defended his new Education Minister Pap Ndiaye, whose appointment triggered much criticism, in particular on the far-right, saying he exemplified the best of what France's school system can offer.
"I think he personifies what we have done these past five years and what we want to do, meaning how much the republic's schools draw in equal opportunity," Macron said alongside Ndiaye during a visit at a school in the southern French city of Marseille.
A prominent academic specialised in African-American history and minority rights, Ndiaye, the son of a Senegalese father and French mother, is only the second black person to lead a key ministry in France.
His appointment, seen partly as a tactic to weaken the left - and woo its voters - ahead of this month's legislative elections, has made much waves.
The far-right's Marine Le Pen called it a "terrifying choice." While saying she "could not care less about the colour of his skin," she added that she rejected his ideas, accusing him of wanting to "deconstruct" France.
Macron, whose comments come less than two weeks ahead of France's parliamentary elections, said schools should promote a respect of diversity.
"He (Ndiaye) showed through his studies, his academic career, his concern for equal opportunity," Macron said. "I profoundly believe, our republic should look into itself to be able to build its unity through the respect of diversity. That's universalist discourse in which I believe."
(Production: Lea Guedj, Ardee Napolitano) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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