> Armies in republics also love a bit of pomp and circumstance

Also mostly stupid and hilariously anachronistic, in my opinion. The videos of Indian and Pakistani border guards showing off to each other comes particularly to mind.

I’d rather they show off to each other than shoot at each other. Anything that reinforces their fundamental similarities has to count as a good thing.

> Armies in republics also love a bit of pomp and circumstance and will gladly show off their troops

France does. But then it is often said we elect a monarch, not a president.

Lots of countries do this, not only France. Military parades are an easy way to remember and commemorate the fallen in battles, and to remind the civilian population of the magnificent army protecting them.

But to your other point, yep, the French Fifth Republic has a very strong President figure (not a monarch on a few important distinctions like succession, but still). And after the failures of the Third and Fourth Republics that showed that compromise is complicated to achieve and without a strong position somewhere there is just pure chaos and instability, it was the only way forward.