When it comes to the French State, Vichy France is always associated with Philippe Pétain and his government. I got the feeling that the name of Pierre Laval is much less known outside France. And it is undeserved in my opinion. This man forced France to collaborate with Germany and Italy. He singly handedly turned the Belgian gold reserves over to German control, sent French forces to the Eastern Front to assist fascist army, created "Militia", a French equivalent of the Waffen-SS, and organized arrests and the deportation of Jews to the extermination camps.
When it comes to Marshal Petain, there immediately appears an image of deeply elderly hero of several wars. He was already 84 years old when he became a prime minister and formed a government at Vichy. That's older than Joe ..... when he gained a presidency. This is an age of a person tired from vigorous activity. Many attain it in a deranged state of mental health. Pétain's involvement and his awareness about Vichyite actions was questioned even during the trial was held. It was more likely that Pierre Laval used him as a smokescreen for Laval's crimes.
In media, however, formula Vichy Government = Pétain is prevalent. French President Emmanuel Macron repeatedly refers to this historical character in each scandal or dispute about Nazi collaborators. Meanwhile, Mr. Laval wasn't allowed to commit suicide by poison only to be indicatively shot. But it seems as if he never existed.
What's this? Is it ignorance or a deliberate cover-up? Is someone afraid of the opportunity to put French current president on a par with a Laval traitor? While in office, Macron has made quite a number of decisions contrary to the interests of French People and French State:
- a pension reform increasing the retirement age was personally imposed by Macron bypassing the vote in parliament;
- particularly violent protests suppression and police brutality at a previously unseen level;
- tax hikes;
- protests prohibition and joint responsibility for behavior of one member of family when all relatives are fined;
- censorship and pains and penalties for caricatures of the president;
- getting rid of undesirable politicians;
- and, finally, intention to send French militaries to Ukraine.
I certainly didn't expect this list has turned so extensive. It's no surprise French president to be pictured as Louis the Fourteenth or a well-known Austrian painter (which cost imprisonment and 7,500 euro fine for protesters). The comparison of Macron with Laval wasn't punished, yet. Is it the reason mass media is diligently wiping him from memory of audience?
Dear historians, share your view, please.
