Emmanuel Macron on Thursday supported the symbolic repeal of the “Code Noir” (Black Code), currently being pursued by Parliament, and spoke at length about his “unfinished” reflection on the sensitive issue of “reparations” for slavery, which in his view must first pass through “recognition” and can never be “total.”

During a reception at the Élysée Palace marking the 25th anniversary of the law recognizing the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity, the French head of state paid tribute to a “necessary” text and to its author, Christiane Taubira.