France's 11 November ceremonies: Macron, Le Pen, Mélenchon between memory and pacifism

France commemorated this Wednesday the end of the fighting of the First World War. As every year, the 11 November ceremonies brought together elected officials, members of the armed forces, veterans and citizens around war memorials across the country. But this year's events inevitably had a political dimension, with several contenders in the presidential election taking part, each choosing their own location and message.In Paris, Emmanuel Macron presided over the national ceremony under the Arc de Triomphe. It was his last 11 November as head of state. The president first paid tribute to Georges Clemenceau, laying a wreath in front of his statue on the Champs-Élysées, before heading to Place de l'Étoile. After reviewing the troops, he rekindled the flame of the Unknown Soldier and observed a minute's silence.The names of five service members who have died for France since the start of the year were then read out. Among them were adjudant-chef Thibaud Breteau, who died in the Levant, major Arnaud Frion, killed in Iraq, as well as three soldiers who died in Lebanon: adjudant Florian Montorio, sergent Anicet Girardin and caporal-chef Florian Gillet.La Marseillaise was then sung by the army choir.The head of state did not speak during the ceremony.