Updated Jul 22, 2024 - World

Exclusive: Macron praises Biden's decision to bow out of 2024 race

French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at the French the presidential palace on July 22. — French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at the French presidential palace on July 22. Photo: Ina Fried

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron praised President Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential election, telling Axios on Monday that the U.S. was "lucky to have him and his team during the past few years."

Why it matters: Macron, speaking at a reception at the Élysée Palace for foreign journalists covering the Summer Olympics, said he hopes Americans follow France in rejecting far-right candidates in the upcoming election.

Context: Macron recently called for snap elections after Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally made significant gains in continent-wide European Union elections last month.

During the first round of the election, it appeared that Macron had blundered after National Rally initially scored historic gains.
However, France's left-wing coalition and Macron's centrist alliance officially defeated National Rally earlier this month.

What they're saying: "I do have respect for Biden, for what he did," Macron said.

"I imagine how... difficult it was for him and his family," Macron added.

The big picture: The French president rejected the notion of extremism generally within society and called for a coming together to face shared challenges around the climate crisis, wars and other global issues.

"It doesn't mean that we agree on everything in life," he said, adding that "what we need in our democracies is more respect for everybody."

Go deeper: World leaders praise Biden's statesmanship after his withdrawal

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Exclusive: Macron praises Biden's decision to bow out of 2024 race

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